US5074865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distraction apparatus for maintaining fractured joint orientation
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-02-17
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Granted: 1991-12-24
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Expires: 2009-02-17
Abstract
Abstract Distraction apparatus for maintaining fractured joints during healing, comprising a pair of pins (10) for insertion into bone at positions proximal to and distal to an injured joint, and a pair of stainless steel wire springs (15) which are adjustably attached to the pins to determine and resiliently maintain the relative spacing of the pin insertions into the bone thus to retain the components of the joint during the healing process.
Inventors
- 👤 Nabil R. Fahmy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/60; A61B17/64; A61B17/6425; A61B17/6441; A61B17/66; A61B2017/606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
Distraction apparatus for maintaining fractured joints during healing, comprising at least two pins having parts for insertion into bone, one on each side of the injured site, with the remainder of the length of the pins projecting externally and generally normal to the axis through the site, and resilient means to determine and resiliently maintain the relative spacing of the inserted parts of the pins, thus to retain the components of the joint; characterized by a pair of resilient connecting members both adapted for attachment externally and directly to and between the pins and both adjustable in position longitudinally along the lengths of the pins, said pins having means to accommodate the attachment of the resilient connecting members to said pins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
Distraction apparatus for maintaining fractured joints during healing, comprising at least two pins having parts for insertion into bone, one on each side of the injured site, with the remainder of the length of the pins projecting externally and generally normal to the axis through the site, and resilient means to determine and resiliently maintain the relative spacing of the inserted parts of the pins, thus to retain the components of the joint; characterized by a pair of resilient connecting members both adapted for attachment externally and directly to and between the pins and both adjustable in position longitudinally along the lengths of the pins, said pins having means to accommodate the attachment of the resilient connecting members to said pins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
Distraction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each said pin comprises a major part of its length of a first diameter, and a shorter part close to a conical or tapered end, of a reduced diameter, with an annular shoulder between said two parts to determine the extent of insertion of the pin in the bone during application.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Distraction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said annular shoulder is undercut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Distraction apparatus according to any of claims 1 to claim 3, wherein each said pin has, in its major part, longitudinally spaced circumferential grooves for location of the connecting members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Distraction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the resilient connecting members comprises a stainless steel wire spring, shaped in a serpentine manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Distraction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said resilient connecting members are both constructed as stainless steel wire springs shaped in a serpentine manner, one being of greater resilience than the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Distraction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each pin is threaded part way along its length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
Distraction apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each pin has a central threaded portion with non-threaded portions extending therefrom to the two ends, and circumferential grooves for location of connecting members to the non-threaded portions.
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) | 1994-12-23 | 1995-06-24 | 1995-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-06-24 | 1999-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-23 | 2003-06-24 | 2003-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |