Patent US5658312A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5658312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Skin fastener
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1995-04-20
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Granted: 1997-08-19
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Expires: 2015-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A fastener for securing adjacent layers of body tissue to each other and being configured and composed of a material so as to emerge from the body tissue after a limited period of time. The fastener includes a backspan and at least two prongs extending from the backspan. Each prong has a tapered tip culminating in a sharp point. The prongs each include a shaft having a cylindrical portion of uniform diameter. In one embodiment, the prong includes a serrated portion having a plurality of notches spaced apart so as to define ridge portions therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 David T. Green
- 👤 Henry Bolanos
- 👤 Wayne Person
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B2017/00004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of skin grafting utilizing at least one bioabsorbable fastener having a pair of prongs extending from a backspan, each prong having a penetrating tip and a shaft portion; the method comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a first portion of skin from a portion of the patient's body; b. placing said first portion of skin adjacent a second portion of skin; c. providing at least one bioabsorbable fastener having a recessed portion in the shaft portion, wherein said at least one fastener is composed in whole or in part of a homopolymer or copolymer of glycolide, lactide, polydioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, polyethylene oxide or blends thereof; d. inserting said at least one bioabsorbable fastener having the recessed portion formed in the shaft portion such that said prongs extend through said first portion of skin and a portion of skin extends into the recessed portion, said prongs positioned therein without engaging a retainer; and e. placing a bandage over the backspan of said at least one fastener to apply a force to said fastener.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of skin grafting utilizing at least one bioabsorbable fastener having a pair of prongs extending from a backspan, each prong having a penetrating tip and a shaft portion; the method comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a first portion of skin from a portion of the patient's body; b. placing said first portion of skin adjacent a second portion of skin; c. providing at least one bioabsorbable fastener having a recessed portion in the shaft portion, wherein said at least one fastener is composed in whole or in part of a homopolymer or copolymer of glycolide, lactide, polydioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, polyethylene oxide or blends thereof; d. inserting said at least one bioabsorbable fastener having the recessed portion formed in the shaft portion such that said prongs extend through said first portion of skin and a portion of skin extends into the recessed portion, said prongs positioned therein without engaging a retainer; and e. placing a bandage over the backspan of said at least one fastener to apply a force to said fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one fastener is configured and dimensioned to be ejected from the body after a period of time.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of skin grafting utilizing at least one bioabsorbable fastener having first and second prongs extending from a backspan, the method comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a first portion of skin from a portion of the patient's body; b. placing said first portion of skin adjacent a second portion of skin; c. inserting said at least one bioabsorbable fastener such that said first prong extends into said first skin portion and said second prong extends into said second skin portion, said at least one fastener positioned therein without engaging a retainer; and d. placing a bandage over the backspan of said at least one fastener to apply a force to said fastener.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of skin grafting utilizing at least one bioabsorbable fastener having first and second prongs extending from a backspan, the method comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a first portion of skin from a portion of the patient's body; b. placing said first portion of skin adjacent a second portion of skin; c. inserting said at least one bioabsorbable fastener such that said first prong extends into said first skin portion and said second prong extends into said second skin portion, said at least one fastener positioned therein without engaging a retainer; and d. placing a bandage over the backspan of said at least one fastener to apply a force to said fastener.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said at least one fastener is composed in whole or in part of a homopolymer or copolymer of glycolide, lactide, polydioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, polyethylene oxide or blends thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the step of leaving said at least one fastener in said skin portion, said at least one fastener being configured and dimensioned to be ejected from the body after a period of time.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of skin grafting utilizing at least one bioabsorbable fastener having first and second prongs extending from a backspan, the method comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a first portion of skin from a portion of the patient's body; b. placing said first portion of skin adjacent a second portion of skin; c. providing at least one bioabsorbable fastener devoid of barbs; and d. positioning said at least one bioabsorbable fastener such that said first prong extends into said first skin portion in a first direction and said second prong extends into said second skin portion in said first direction, said at least one fastener positioned therein without engaging a retainer; and e. leaving said at least one fastener in said skin portion such that said first and second prongs extend substantially in said first direction and such that said at least one fastener being devoid of barbs can be ejected from the body after a period limited of time.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of skin grafting utilizing at least one bioabsorbable fastener having first and second prongs extending from a backspan, the method comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a first portion of skin from a portion of the patient's body; b. placing said first portion of skin adjacent a second portion of skin; c. providing at least one bioabsorbable fastener devoid of barbs; and d. positioning said at least one bioabsorbable fastener such that said first prong extends into said first skin portion in a first direction and said second prong extends into said second skin portion in said first direction, said at least one fastener positioned therein without engaging a retainer; and e. leaving said at least one fastener in said skin portion such that said first and second prongs extend substantially in said first direction and such that said at least one fastener being devoid of barbs can be ejected from the body after a period limited of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of placing a bandage over the backspan of said at least one fastener to apply a force to said fastener.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said at least one fastener is configured and dimensioned to be ejected from the body after a period of time.
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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) | 2000-08-18 | 2001-02-17 | 2001-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-18 | 2005-02-17 | 2005-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-18 | 2009-02-17 | 2009-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |