US5330477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for bone fixation and fusion stimulation
Assignee: Amei Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1992-01-28
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Granted: 1994-07-19
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Expires: 2012-01-28
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and a method for promoting the healing of a bone having a fracture site or fusion site is provided. The apparatus includes a brace coupled to the site and adapted for stabilizing the site. Firmly coupled to the brace is an electronic circuit emitting an energy for stimulating the healing of the site, where the brace and the electronic circuit form substantially an integral unit.
Inventors
- 👤 David F. Crook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/326; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/80; A61B17/8061; A61N1/36; A61N1/3605; B; B33; B33Y; B33Y80/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for stimulating healing of and immobilizing a fracture or a fusion site of a bone, the bone having a bone surface with a bone contour, the apparatus comprising a substantially rigid plate having a surface for intimately mating with the bone surface; said surface having a preformed contour that is the inverse image of the bone contour; fastening means for securing said plate directly to the bone; an electronic-module housing secured to said plate; and an electronic module, removably disposed in said housing, having disposed therein an electronic circuit for generating and emitting an energy for stimulating the healing of the site.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for stimulating healing of and immobilizing a fracture or a fusion site of a bone, the bone having a bone surface with a bone contour, the apparatus comprising a substantially rigid plate having a surface for intimately mating with the bone surface; said surface having a preformed contour that is the inverse image of the bone contour; fastening means for securing said plate directly to the bone; an electronic-module housing secured to said plate; and an electronic module, removably disposed in said housing, having disposed therein an electronic circuit for generating and emitting an energy for stimulating the healing of the site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing defines a cavity adapted for receiving said electronic module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a cover plate detachably mounted to said housing and over said cavity for enclosing said cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a capsule for substantially enclosing and insulating said electronic module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said housing defines a cavity having a contour substantially matching that of said capsule, said cavity adapted for accommodating said capsule.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a battery affixed to said plate for supplying power to said electronic module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said defines a cavity adapted for accommodating said battery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a cover plate for enclosing said cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit monitors a characteristic indicative of the progress of the healing of said site.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit monitors a characteristic indicative of the status of the apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic module further comprises a transmitter for converting data into a radio frequency signal adapted for broadcasting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said emitted energy is an electric current.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus, as set froth in claim 1, wherein said emitted energy is ultrasound.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising more than one electronic circuit said electronic circuits providing stimulating energy to promote the healing of the site, emitting diagnostic energy into the site, receiving said emitted diagnostic energy, and determining the state of health of the site.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises a fixation means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising screws for coupling said fixation means to the bone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising bolts for coupling said fixation means to the bone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said fastening means comprises a rod having a hook-like member on each end, said hook-like members adapted for hooking onto designated features of the site to secure said plate thereto.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for promoting the healing of a fracture or fusion site of a bone having a bone surface with a bone contour, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substantially rigid plate having a surface with a preformed contour that is the inverse image of the bone contour; affixing said plate directly to the bone for immobilizing the site such that said surface intimately mates with the bone surface: removably disposing an electronic module, having an electrode circuit, in a housing attached to said plate; and generating an energy signal with said electronic circuit to stimulate the healing of the site.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for promoting the healing of a fracture or fusion site of a bone having a bone surface with a bone contour, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substantially rigid plate having a surface with a preformed contour that is the inverse image of the bone contour; affixing said plate directly to the bone for immobilizing the site such that said surface intimately mates with the bone surface: removably disposing an electronic module, having an electrode circuit, in a housing attached to said plate; and generating an energy signal with said electronic circuit to stimulate the healing of the site.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the step of forming a cavity within said housing for receiving said electronic circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method, as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the step of substantially enclosing said cavity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the steps of encapsulating said electronic module and affixing said encapsulated electronic module within said housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method, as set forth in claim 22, further comprising the step of providing a cavity having a contour substantially matching that of said capsule.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the step of supplying power to said electronic circuit with a battery attached to said plate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the step of receiving said emitted energy with a receiver disposed within said housing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method, as set forth in claim 25, wherein said emitted energy receiving step comprises a step of receiving said energy having a characteristic indicative of the amount of healing in the site.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method, as set forth in claim 26, further comprising the step of using a transmitter disposed within said housing for converting said received energy into a radio frequency signal adapted for broadcasting.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein said energy emitting step comprises a step of emitting an electromagnetic energy.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein said energy emitting step comprises a step of emitting an ultrasonic energy.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the steps of emitting stimulating energy to promote the healing of the site, and emitting diagnostic energy into the site, receiving said emitted diagnostic energy, and determining the state of health of the site.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for healing a fracture or fusion site of a bone having a bone surface with a bone contour, the method comprising the steps of: designing a plurality of electronic circuits adapted to perform a number of functions including emitting a stimulating energy, emitting a diagnostic energy, receiving said diagnostic energy, and broadcasting said received diagnostic energy; designing a plurality of braces adapted for immobilizing an injured bone and accommodating said electronic circuits; storing said braces and electronic circuit designs in a components library; determining the need of a patient and the bone contour of the site; selecting a brace and electronic circuits from said components library in response to said determination; designing for said brace a surface having a contour the inverse image of the bone contour; manufacturing a custom brace having said surface and said electronic circuits in response to said selection; and installing said custom brace and electronic circuits in said patient such that said surface intimately mates with said bone surface.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for healing a fracture or fusion site of a bone having a bone surface with a bone contour, the method comprising the steps of: designing a plurality of electronic circuits adapted to perform a number of functions including emitting a stimulating energy, emitting a diagnostic energy, receiving said diagnostic energy, and broadcasting said received diagnostic energy; designing a plurality of braces adapted for immobilizing an injured bone and accommodating said electronic circuits; storing said braces and electronic circuit designs in a components library; determining the need of a patient and the bone contour of the site; selecting a brace and electronic circuits from said components library in response to said determination; designing for said brace a surface having a contour the inverse image of the bone contour; manufacturing a custom brace having said surface and said electronic circuits in response to said selection; and installing said custom brace and electronic circuits in said patient such that said surface intimately mates with said bone surface.
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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) | 1997-07-18 | 1998-01-17 | 1998-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-18 | 2002-01-17 | 2002-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-18 | 2006-01-17 | 2006-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |