Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of fixation of a fracture or impending fracture of a bone having bone marrow therein comprising: forming a passage in the bone marrow; compacting the bone marrow to increase the volume of said passage; and filling the passage with a flowable material capable of setting to a hardened condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of fixation of a fracture or impending fracture of a bone having bone marrow therein comprising: forming a passage in the bone marrow; compacting the bone marrow to increase the volume of said passage; and filling the passage with a flowable material capable of setting to a hardened condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said compacting step includes forcing the bone marrow outwardly and against the site of the fracture or impending fracture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said compacting step includes forcing the bone marrow outwardly of the central portion of the bone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 3, wherein said forcing step includes directing the bone marrow against an inner surface of the bone within the fracture or impending fracture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said compacting step includes inflating an inflatable device in said passage to urge the bone marrow therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein is included the step of inserting the device in the passage before the inflating step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the step of inserting an inflatable device in said passage, said increasing step including inflating the device to force the bone marrow outwardly of said passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said forming step includes drilling said bone marrow to form said passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said drilling step includes guiding a drill through and into the proximate cortical bone marrow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said forming step includes drilling the bone marrow to a predetermined depth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said depth is in the range of approximately 60 to 80% of the maximum oblique dimension of the bone containing the bone marrow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fracture is a fracture of a vertebral body of the human spine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fracture is a Colles' fracture of the distal radius.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fracture is a fracture of the proximal humerus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flowable material is selected from the group consisting of liquid synthetic bone and methyl methacrylate cement.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of fixation of a fracture of a bone containing bone marrow therein comprising: drilling said bone to form a recess therein; inserting an inflatable device in said recess; inflating the device in the recess to increase the volume thereof and to force the bone marrow outwardly of the recess to form a void in the bone; and filling the void in the bone with a flowable material capable of setting to a hardened condition.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of fixation of a fracture of a bone containing bone marrow therein comprising: drilling said bone to form a recess therein; inserting an inflatable device in said recess; inflating the device in the recess to increase the volume thereof and to force the bone marrow outwardly of the recess to form a void in the bone; and filling the void in the bone with a flowable material capable of setting to a hardened condition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said inflating step includes inflating a chambered bladder device having an elliptical configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said inflating step includes inflating a chambered bladder device having generally cylindrical configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein is included the step of guiding a drill into the bone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said inflating step includes inflating the device with a radio-opaque material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said inflating step includes compacting the bone marrow in the bone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said inflating step includes forcing the bone marrow outwardly of the central portion of the bone.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said inflating step includes compacting the bone marrow against an inner surface of the bone.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said drilling step includes guiding a drill into the bone, and rotating the drill about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 24, wherein said drilling step includes drilling the bone marrow to a predetermined depth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 25, wherein said depth is in the range of approximately 60 to 80% of the maximum oblique dimension of the bone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the fracture is a fracture of a vertebral body of the human spine.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said fracture is a Colles' fracture of the distal radius.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said fracture is a fracture of the proximal humerus.