US5151104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-locking joint connector
Assignee: MTG Divestitures LLC
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Filing: 1989-10-26
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Granted: 1992-09-29
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Expires: 2009-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A device suitable for use in a wide variety of types of joints of the body of a human or other mammal is provided. The device is especially useful for implantation into the human femur so as to repair an anterior cruciate ligament. The device is self-locking and can be used to connect two parts of a joint together by means of an artificial ligament (if desired) or by means of a biological graft (either allegraft or autogenous, including bone with a natural tendon attached thereto). The device permits the surgeon very simply to do a revision from such a mechanical ligament to a biological graft or vice-versa, as desired; that is, the device of the invention is fully revisable. A method of connecting two parts of a joint is also given.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert V. Kenna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/08; A61F2/0811; A61F2002/0817; A61F2002/0823; A61F2002/0829; A61F2002/0847; A61F2002/0864; A61F2002/087; A61F2002/0876; A61F2002/0882; F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/06; F16B21/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A device to be placed into one side of a joint, said device comprising: (a) a first portion comprising: (1) a first screw portion to be screwed into bone in one side of said joint; and (2) a first means for locking said first portion; and (b) a second portion which is adapted to be inserted during surgery into proximity with and then remain self-locked with said first portion, said second portion comprising: (1) a nose portion having a second means for locking said second portion, wherein said first means for locking and said second means for locking are adapted to lock together, wherein said first means for locking is a groove located either within said first portion or said second portion, and wherein said second means for locking comprises two spring-loaded collapsible pins located either within said second portion or said first portion respectively and which are adapted to snap into and remain self-locked within said groove.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A device to be placed into one side of a joint, said device comprising: (a) a first portion comprising: (1) a first screw portion to be screwed into bone in one side of said joint; and (2) a first means for locking said first portion; and (b) a second portion which is adapted to be inserted during surgery into proximity with and then remain self-locked with said first portion, said second portion comprising: (1) a nose portion having a second means for locking said second portion, wherein said first means for locking and said second means for locking are adapted to lock together, wherein said first means for locking is a groove located either within said first portion or said second portion, and wherein said second means for locking comprises two spring-loaded collapsible pins located either within said second portion or said first portion respectively and which are adapted to snap into and remain self-locked within said groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first means for locking is located within said first portion and said second means for locking is located within said second portion and wherein said second portion comprises also: (2) a connector portion adapted for connection to an external element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said connector portion adapted for connection to an external element is adapted for connection to an external element selected from the group consisting of (a) bone to natural tendon and (b) artificial ligament.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said connector portion comprises a replaceable loop portion comprising an artificial ligament and wherein said loop portion is adapted to fit securely with said nose portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 4, and including also said artificial ligament.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said connector portion comprises a toothed portion having teeth adapted to be inserted into and remain within a bone plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said device is revisable such that said connector portion can be revised from a replaceable loop portion to a toothed portion or vice versa.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
165 words
A device to be placed into one side of a joint, said device comprising: (a) a first portion comprising: (1) a first screw portion to be screwed into bone in one side of said joint; and (2) a first means for locking said first portion; and (b) a second portion which is adapted to be inserted during surgery into proximity with and be snapped together with and then remain self-locked with said first portion, said second portion comprising: (1) a nose portion having a second means for locking said second portion, wherein said first means for locking and said second means for locking are adapted to snap-lock together, wherein said first means for locking is a groove located either within said first portion or said second portion, and wherein said second means for locking comprises at least one spring-loaded collapsible pin located either within said second portion or said first portion respectively and which is adapted to snap into and remain self-locked within said groove.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
165 words
A device to be placed into one side of a joint, said device comprising: (a) a first portion comprising: (1) a first screw portion to be screwed into bone in one side of said joint; and (2) a first means for locking said first portion; and (b) a second portion which is adapted to be inserted during surgery into proximity with and be snapped together with and then remain self-locked with said first portion, said second portion comprising: (1) a nose portion having a second means for locking said second portion, wherein said first means for locking and said second means for locking are adapted to snap-lock together, wherein said first means for locking is a groove located either within said first portion or said second portion, and wherein said second means for locking comprises at least one spring-loaded collapsible pin located either within said second portion or said first portion respectively and which is adapted to snap into and remain self-locked within said groove.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-29 | 1996-03-30 | 1996-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-29 | 2000-03-30 | 2000-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-29 | 2004-03-30 | 2004-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |