US4987904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for bone size gauging
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-03-22
•
Granted: 1991-01-29
•
Expires: 2010-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A device for gauging the size of a bone socket comprising a hemispherical member having a pole on its axis at the distal end and having a bore on its axis at its proximal end; a handle releasably attached to the bore of the hemispherical member; and a pressure responsive surface on the hemispherical member to constitute a pressure responsive surface for changing characteristics when brought in contact with a bone socket to be gauged. The change in characteristics may be in color or shape. Also disclosed is the method for using the device.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/45; A61B5/4504; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4657; A61F2/4684; G; G01; G01B; G01B1/00; G01B5/00; G01B5/20; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61F2/32; A61F2/34; A61F2/4603
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A device for gauging the size of a bone socket comprising: a hemispherical member having a pole on its axis at the distal end and having a bore on its axis at its proximal end; a handle releasably attached to the bore of the hemispherical member; and a pressure responsive surface means on the hemispherical member for changing characteristics when brought in contact with a bone socket to be gauged.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A device for gauging the size of a bone socket comprising: a hemispherical member having a pole on its axis at the distal end and having a bore on its axis at its proximal end; a handle releasably attached to the bore of the hemispherical member; and a pressure responsive surface means on the hemispherical member for changing characteristics when brought in contact with a bone socket to be gauged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hemispherical member is formed of a rigid, non-deformable material and the pressure responsive surface is formed of a film coupled to the hemispherical member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the film changes color characteristics upon application of pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the handle includes resilient means for indicating a proper pressure applied to the hemispherical member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hemispherical member is formed of a mass of deformable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the surface of the mass of deformable material changes shape characteristics to conform to a bone socket to be gauged when brought in pressure contact therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as set forth in claim 6 and further including a support structure within the mass of deformable material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for gauging the size of a bone socket to be provided with a hemispherical prosthetic device comprising: providing a hemispherical member with a pressure responsive contact surface changeable in readable characteristic upon the application of pressure; inserting the contact surface into pressure contact with the bone socket to be sized in order to change the contact surface; terminating the inserting and pressure contact of the contact surface when a predetermined pressure has been reached; withdrawing the contact surface; reading the contact surface which has been changed in characteristic.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for gauging the size of a bone socket to be provided with a hemispherical prosthetic device comprising: providing a hemispherical member with a pressure responsive contact surface changeable in readable characteristic upon the application of pressure; inserting the contact surface into pressure contact with the bone socket to be sized in order to change the contact surface; terminating the inserting and pressure contact of the contact surface when a predetermined pressure has been reached; withdrawing the contact surface; reading the contact surface which has been changed in characteristic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the change in readable characteristic is a change in color.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 and further including the repeating of the above steps if the majority of the contact surface has not been discolored as indicative of the determination of the proper size.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the change in readable characteristic is a change in shape of a deformable material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |