US4950293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Prosthetic ligamentary device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-11-14
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Granted: 1990-08-21
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Expires: 2008-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A prosthetic ligamentary device consists of one or two longitudinal elements of relatively inelastic material and an element of relatively elastic material. When the longitudinal elment (s) is or are subjected longitudinally to an anatomical tensile force, it or they extend (s) to a limited degree by transversely compressing the relatively elastic element, until the force is incapable of compressing the latter element further, whereupon the device becomes inextensible by the force. Two devices can be combined to form a cruciate ligament prosthesis for a knee joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan P. Beacon
- 👤 Raymond C. Wadey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A prosthetic ligamentary device comprising a first means which is relatively inelastic longitudinally of the device, and a second means which is relatively elastic transversely of the device, said first means, at said second means and in one longitudinal direction of said first means, diverging outwardly and then converging inwardly, so that the subjection of the first means to an anatomical tensile force increases the length of the first means against the action of the second means to a limited degree and thereupon said first means becomes virtually inextensible by said force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A prosthetic ligamentary device comprising a first means which is relatively inelastic longitudinally of the device, and a second means which is relatively elastic transversely of the device, said first means, at said second means and in one longitudinal direction of said first means, diverging outwardly and then converging inwardly, so that the subjection of the first means to an anatomical tensile force increases the length of the first means against the action of the second means to a limited degree and thereupon said first means becomes virtually inextensible by said force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first means diverges and converges as aforesaid about said second means and the latter is compressed by the extending of said first means, so that said first means is extensible until said second means can be substantially compressed no further by said tensile force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said first means comprises a hollow longitudinal element of relatively inelastic material and said second means comprises a hollow element of relatively elastic material and contained in said hollow longitudinal element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said hollow longitudinal element comprises a cross-woven cord.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said hollow element is a tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said second means comprises beads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a compact body and said first means comprises first and second longitudinal elements which extend in said body in a manner in which they zig-zag towards and away from each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said second means is substantially encircled by an open-mesh sleeve disposed exteriorly of said first means and said second means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein said open-mesh sleeve is fastened at its ends to said first means at respective locations beyond said second means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first means terminates just beyond one end of said second means and at that termination zone has means facilitating sewing-in of a suture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
A cruciate ligament prosthesis, comprising first and second prosthetic ligamentary devices a section of at least one of which comprises relatively inelastic material displaceable between a longitudinally extensible condition and a longitudinally inextensible condition and linked with relatively elastic material displaceable between a relatively unstressed condition and a relatively stressed condition, and thereby that section, when in an initial condition in which said relatively inelastic material is in said longitudinally extensible condition and said relatively elastic material is in said relatively unstressed condition and then subjected longitudinally to an anatomical tensile force, increases in length to a limited degree and thereupon becomes virtually inextensible by said force and, when in its virtually inextensible condition and then relieved of said force, restores itself promptly to said initial condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
A cruciate ligament prosthesis, comprising first and second prosthetic ligamentary devices a section of at least one of which comprises relatively inelastic material displaceable between a longitudinally extensible condition and a longitudinally inextensible condition and linked with relatively elastic material displaceable between a relatively unstressed condition and a relatively stressed condition, and thereby that section, when in an initial condition in which said relatively inelastic material is in said longitudinally extensible condition and said relatively elastic material is in said relatively unstressed condition and then subjected longitudinally to an anatomical tensile force, increases in length to a limited degree and thereupon becomes virtually inextensible by said force and, when in its virtually inextensible condition and then relieved of said force, restores itself promptly to said initial condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
A prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein said first and second prosthetic ligamentary devices form only three arms radiating from a region at which the arms are interconnected, one of the three arms being virtually inextensible when subjected longitudinally to an anatomical tensile force, and at least one of the other arms comprising said section(s).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A prosthesis according to claim 12, wherein said first and second prosthetic ligamentary devices comprise respective first and second hollow longitudinal elements which are of said relatively inelastic material and which extend one within the other to form said one of the three arms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein said first and second prosthetic ligamentary devices form first, second and third arms radiating from a region at which the arms are interconnected, said first arm being virtually inextensible when subjected longitudinally to an anatomical tensile force and the other arms comprising said sections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A prosthesis according to claim 14, wherein said first and second prosthetic ligamentary devices form said first, said second, said third, and fourth arms radiating from said region, said fourth arm being virtually inextensible when subjected longitudinally to an anatomical tensile force.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein said section(s) is/are encircled by a single open-mesh sleeve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A prosthesis according to claim 16, wherein said sleeve is fastened at the ends thereof to the devices at locations beyond said sections and is of material which is extensible with said sections.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein said sections are encircled by respective open-mesh sleeves.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A prosthesis according to claim 18, wherein said sleeves are fastened at the ends thereof to the devices at locations beyond said sections and are of material which is extensible with said sections.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of inserting a prosthetic ligamentary device at a joint between first and second bones, comprising: providing a prosthetic ligamentary device a section of which comprises relatively inelastic material displaceable between a longitudinally extensible condition and a longitudinally inextensible condition and linked with relatively elastic material displaceable between a relatively unstressed condition and a relatively stressed condition, and thereby that section, when in an initial condition in which said relatively inelastic material is in said longitudinally extensible condition and said relatively elastic material is in said relatively unstressed condition and then subjected longitudinally to an anatomical tensile force, increases in length to a limited degree and thereupon becomes virtually inextensible by said force and, when in its virtually inextensible condition and then relieved of said force, restores itself promptly to said initial condition, and anchoring respective end zones of said device to the respective bones, with said section located between said bones.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of inserting a prosthetic ligamentary device at a joint between first and second bones, comprising: providing a prosthetic ligamentary device a section of which comprises relatively inelastic material displaceable between a longitudinally extensible condition and a longitudinally inextensible condition and linked with relatively elastic material displaceable between a relatively unstressed condition and a relatively stressed condition, and thereby that section, when in an initial condition in which said relatively inelastic material is in said longitudinally extensible condition and said relatively elastic material is in said relatively unstressed condition and then subjected longitudinally to an anatomical tensile force, increases in length to a limited degree and thereupon becomes virtually inextensible by said force and, when in its virtually inextensible condition and then relieved of said force, restores itself promptly to said initial condition, and anchoring respective end zones of said device to the respective bones, with said section located between said bones.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4795466A
Cited
EP0249346A2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-20 | 1994-02-19 | 1994-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-20 | 1998-02-19 | 1998-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-20 | 2002-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |