Patent US2161571A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5895387A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5895387A
Expired / Lapsed
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Method of craniofacial bone distraction
Assignee: ROMULO GUERRERO
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Filing: 1996-10-09
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Granted: 1999-04-20
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Expires: 2016-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A bone distractor is created which grips bones along their edges and then applies an expansion force between the two bone edges. This expansionary force is used to encourage bone growth and elongation. Two clamps are used; each of the clamps is adapted to engage opposing edges of a bone. A rod extends from one clamp and presses against the other clamp; due to the threads on the clamp and the rod, a turn of the rod applies an expansion force between the two clamps. By selective application of this force, the bone naturally grows and elongates. The invention is particularly useful for craniofacial structures. Not only does the apparatus elongate the bone, but due to the nature of the clamping and forces applied over time, the adjacent soft tissue is also naturally elongated.
Inventors
- 👤 Romulo Guerrero
- 👤 Adriana Salazar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/60; A61B17/64; A61B17/6433; A61B17/66; A61B17/663; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/902; Y10S606/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of distracting craniofacial bone comprising the steps of: a) during a surgical step, 1) in a submuscular surgical site, installing a bone dissector between two opposing edges of a craniofacial bone, and, 2) via a threaded rod, engaging said bone dissector with said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone, and, 3) exposing an end of said threaded rod through skin of a patient; and, b) in a post-operative step, via said threaded rod, periodically forcing said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone away from each other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of distracting craniofacial bone comprising the steps of: a) during a surgical step, 1) in a submuscular surgical site, installing a bone dissector between two opposing edges of a craniofacial bone, and, 2) via a threaded rod, engaging said bone dissector with said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone, and, 3) exposing an end of said threaded rod through skin of a patient; and, b) in a post-operative step, via said threaded rod, periodically forcing said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone away from each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of distracting craniofacial bone according to claim 1, wherein the post-operative step includes the steps of: a) removing said threaded rod from the patient; and, b) permitting the skin of the patient to heal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of distracting craniofacial bone according to claim 2, wherein the step of permitting the skin of the patient to heal includes the step of allowing said bone distractor to remain within said patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of distracting craniofacial bone according to claim 1, wherein the surgical step includes the step of, prior to the step of installing a bone dissector, the step of creating a fissure in said craniofacial bone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A surgical method comprising the steps of: a) in a submuscular surgical site, installing a bone dissector between two opposing edges of a craniofacial bone; b) via a threaded rod, engaging said bone dissector with said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone; and, c) exposing a first end of said threaded rod through skin of a patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A surgical method comprising the steps of: a) in a submuscular surgical site, installing a bone dissector between two opposing edges of a craniofacial bone; b) via a threaded rod, engaging said bone dissector with said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone; and, c) exposing a first end of said threaded rod through skin of a patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical method according to claim 5, further including the step of, periodically forcing said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone away from each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical method according to claim 6, further including the steps of: a) removing said threaded rod from the patient; and, b) permitting the skin of the patient to heal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical method according to claim 7, wherein the step of permitting the skin of the patient to heal includes the step of allowing said bone distractor to remain within said patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical method according to claim 6, further including, prior to the step of installing a bone dissector, the step of creating a fissure in said craniofacial bone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
A bone dissection method comprising the steps of: a) in a submuscular surgical site, installing a bone dissector between two opposing edges of a craniofacial bone; b) via a threaded rod, engaging said bone dissector with said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone; c) exposing an end of said threaded rod through skin of a patient; and, d) periodically forcing said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone away from each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
A bone dissection method comprising the steps of: a) in a submuscular surgical site, installing a bone dissector between two opposing edges of a craniofacial bone; b) via a threaded rod, engaging said bone dissector with said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone; c) exposing an end of said threaded rod through skin of a patient; and, d) periodically forcing said two opposing edges of craniofacial bone away from each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bone dissection method according to claim 10, further including the steps of: a) removing said threaded rod from the patient; and, b) permitting the skin of the patient to heal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bone dissection method according to claim 11, wherein the step of permitting the skin of the patient to heal includes the step of allowing said bone distractor to remain within said patient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bone dissection method according to claim 10, further including, prior to the step of installing a bone dissector, the step of creating a fissure in said craniofacial bone.
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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) | 2002-04-19 | 2002-10-19 | 2003-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-19 | 2006-10-19 | 2007-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-19 | 2010-10-19 | 2011-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |