US5954716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for modifying the length of a ligament
Assignee: Oratec Interventions Inc
•
Filing: 1998-02-19
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Granted: 1999-09-21
•
Expires: 2018-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A method for modifying a ligament connection between two bones by applying radio frequency energy to a portion of a ligament in a patient that functions to maintain two or more bones in a standard configuration in a species to which the patient belongs, but which are in a relationship to each other that is not medically acceptable in the patient, for a time sufficient to induce thermal shrinkage of the portion of the ligament. The method is particularly useful for skeletal-shift disorders by applying radio frequency energy to one ligament of a set of ligaments of a patient that function to align two or more bones in a standard configuration in a species to which the patient belongs but which are causing a skeletal shift in the patient because of an imbalance of ligament-induced forces in the patient for a time sufficient to induce thermal shrinkage of the portion of the ligament, thereby alleviating the skeletal shift. Patellar shift and curvature of the spine are two examples of such disorders.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh R. Sharkey
- 👤 Gary S. Fanton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/40; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/148; A61B18/1492; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/1472
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for modifying a ligament connection between two bones, comprising: (1) applying radio frequency energy to a portion of a ligament in a patient that functions to maintain two or more bones in a standard configuration in a species to which said patient belongs but which bones are in a relationship to each other that is not medically acceptable in said patient for a time sufficient to induce thermal shrinkage of said portion of said ligament, and (2) maintaining tension in said ligament less than that necessary to stretch said portion of said ligament subjected to thermal shrinkage until said portion has regained sufficient strength to maintain said bones in said standard configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for modifying a ligament connection between two bones, comprising: (1) applying radio frequency energy to a portion of a ligament in a patient that functions to maintain two or more bones in a standard configuration in a species to which said patient belongs but which bones are in a relationship to each other that is not medically acceptable in said patient for a time sufficient to induce thermal shrinkage of said portion of said ligament, and (2) maintaining tension in said ligament less than that necessary to stretch said portion of said ligament subjected to thermal shrinkage until said portion has regained sufficient strength to maintain said bones in said standard configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ligament is a surgical graft ligament and said thermal shrinkage is applied in a process of stretching said ligament after attachment of said graft ligament to said bones.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ligament is a natural ligament.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency energy is applied to said ligament arthroscopically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 4, wherein applying said energy arthroscopically comprises providing an insulated probe having an electrode in a distal portion thereof, introducing said probe into a body cavity adjacent said ligament, and applying said energy through said electrode to said ligament.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein energy is applied to said ligament by two electrodes positioned on opposite sides of said ligament.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said tension is maintained below that necessary to stretch said portion of said ligament by tension-relieving sutures in said ligament.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said tension is maintained below that necessary to stretch said portion of said ligament by maintaining said bones in a substantially fixed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises releasing tension on said ligament being treated by a surgical incision to a ligament not being concurrently treated.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for treating ligament-induced skeletal shift, comprising: applying radio frequency energy to a portion of one ligament of a set of ligaments of a patient that function to align two or more bones in a standard configuration in a species to which said patient belongs but which are causing a skeletal shift in said patient because of an imbalance of ligament-induced forces in said patient for a time sufficient to induce thermal shrinkage of said portion of said ligament, thereby alleviating said skeletal shift.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for treating ligament-induced skeletal shift, comprising: applying radio frequency energy to a portion of one ligament of a set of ligaments of a patient that function to align two or more bones in a standard configuration in a species to which said patient belongs but which are causing a skeletal shift in said patient because of an imbalance of ligament-induced forces in said patient for a time sufficient to induce thermal shrinkage of said portion of said ligament, thereby alleviating said skeletal shift.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said skeletal shift is patellar shift and a medial ligament is shortened.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said skeletal shift is a twisting of the spinal column of said patient and said ligament is attached to two or more vertebrae of said spinal column.
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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) | 2002-09-20 | 2003-03-22 | 2003-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-20 | 2007-03-22 | 2007-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-20 | 2011-03-22 | 2011-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |