Patent US6197037B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6197037B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical fastener for joining adjacent bone portions
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-07-29
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Granted: 2001-03-06
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Expires: 2019-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A surgical fastener for joining adjacent bone portions includes a top flange and a bottom flange joined by a rib that together help define two bone receiving cavities. The Respective bone edge portions, such as from an osteotomy cut, are inserted into the bone receiving cavities and gripped by the compressive action between the top flange and the bottom flange. In the installed state, the top flange is disposed on one side of the bone while the bottom flange is disposed on the opposite side of the bone, with the rib disposed between the bone edges. The bone clamp may be a unitary device that is made from a flexible bioresorbable material. Due to its configuration, the bone clamp may be installed without the use of any tools. Further, the bone clamp acts as a temporary fastener in that it dissolves over time, thereby allowing for the bone edges to knit, even in the vicinity of the bone clamp. When installed, the bone clamp has a low profile initially and no long term profile, thereby lessening cosmetic abnormalities.
Inventors
- 👤 John Hunter Hair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/688; A61B2017/00004; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/28; A61F2/2875; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A surgical fastener for joining at least two adjacent bone portions, the bone portions having respective exterior and interior surfaces, comprising: a first flange and a flexible second flange spaced from said first flange; a radially asymmetric rib assembly linking said first flange to said second flange; first and second bone receiving cavities defined by said first flange and said second flange and disposed on opposing sides of said rib, said bone receiving cavities adapted to each engage the interior and exterior surfaces of the bone portions; and wherein said first flange, said second flange, and said rib assembly are made from a flexible bio-resorbable material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A surgical fastener for joining at least two adjacent bone portions, the bone portions having respective exterior and interior surfaces, comprising: a first flange and a flexible second flange spaced from said first flange; a radially asymmetric rib assembly linking said first flange to said second flange; first and second bone receiving cavities defined by said first flange and said second flange and disposed on opposing sides of said rib, said bone receiving cavities adapted to each engage the interior and exterior surfaces of the bone portions; and wherein said first flange, said second flange, and said rib assembly are made from a flexible bio-resorbable material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein said fastener is unitary.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein said first flange and said second flange each include a plurality of holes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein said rib assembly includes a generally planar rib.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein said rib assembly is disposed generally normal to said first flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fastener of claim 4 wherein said second flange and said rib assembly are of substantially the same width as measured along the direction of the interface between said bone portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein said rib assembly is disposed generally at an angle of between 5 and 45 degrees with respect to normal from said first flange.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein said first flange is disposed proximate said interior surface and said second flange is disposed proximate said exterior surface and said first flange and said second flange cooperate to grip the bone portions therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fastener of claim 8 wherein said first flange and said second flange grip the bone portions therebetween without penetrating said bone portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein said first flange has a dull perimeter edge and wherein said second flange has a dull perimeter edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein said fastener has a pre-use state and a use state and wherein, in said pre-use state, said second flange has a generally curved surface bounding at least one of said bone receiving cavities.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
The fastener of claim 1 wherein: a) said fastener has a pre-use state and a use state and wherein, in said pre-use state, said second flange has a generally curved surface bounding at least one of said bone receiving cavities; b) said first and second flanges have substantially uniform respective thicknesses and respective dull perimeter edges; c) said second flange is larger than said first flange as measured along the direction perpendicular to the interface between the bone portions; d) said first and second bone receiving cavities are substantially identical; e) said rib assembly includes a generally planar rib; and f) said fastener is unitary and made from a flexible bio-resorbable material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
A flexible surgical fastener for joining at least two adjacent bone portions, the bone portions having respective exterior and interior surfaces, comprising: a) a first flange and a flexible second flange spaced from said first flange; b) a rib linking said first flange to said second flange; c) first and second bone receiving cavities defined by said first flange and said second flange and disposed on opposing sides of said rib and adapted to engage the interior and exterior surfaces of the bone portions, respectively; and d) wherein said first flange, said second flange, and said rib are made from a flexible bio-resorbable material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
A flexible surgical fastener for joining at least two adjacent bone portions, the bone portions having respective exterior and interior surfaces, comprising: a) a first flange and a flexible second flange spaced from said first flange; b) a rib linking said first flange to said second flange; c) first and second bone receiving cavities defined by said first flange and said second flange and disposed on opposing sides of said rib and adapted to engage the interior and exterior surfaces of the bone portions, respectively; and d) wherein said first flange, said second flange, and said rib are made from a flexible bio-resorbable material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The fastener of claim 13 wherein said fastener is unitary.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The fastener of claim 13 wherein said rib is generally planar.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fastener of claim 15 wherein said second flange and said rib are of substantially the same width as measured along the direction of the interface between said bone portions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fastener of claim 13 wherein said first flange has a dull perimeter edge and wherein said second flange has a dull perimeter edge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fastener of claim 13 wherein said fastener has a pre-use state and a use state and wherein, in said pre-use state, said second flange has a generally curved surface bounding at least one of said bone receiving cavities.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The fastener of claim 13 wherein said first flange is disposed proximate said interior surface and said second flange is disposed proximate said exterior surface and said first flange and said second flange cooperate to grip the bone portions therebetween.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fastener of claim 19 wherein said first flange and said second flange grip the bone portions therebetween without penetrating said bone portions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
The fastener of claim 13 wherein: a) said fastener has a pre-use state and a use state and wherein, in said pre-use state, said second flange has a generally curved surface bounding at least one of said bone receiving cavities; b) said first and second flanges have substantially uniform respective thicknesses and respective dull perimeter edges; c) said second flange is larger than said first flange as measured along the direction perpendicular to the interface between the bone portions; d) said first and second bone receiving cavities are substantially identical; e) said rib is generally planar; and f) said fastener is unitary.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
90 words
A flexible surgical fastener for joining adjacent bone portions, the bone portions having respective exterior and interior surfaces, comprising: a first flange and a flexible second flange spaced from said first flange; first and second bone receiving cavities defined by said first flange and said second flange and adapted to engage the exterior and interior surfaces of the bone portions; means for connecting said first flange to said second flange; and wherein said first flange, said second flange, and said means for connecting are made from a flexible bio-resorbable material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
90 words
A flexible surgical fastener for joining adjacent bone portions, the bone portions having respective exterior and interior surfaces, comprising: a first flange and a flexible second flange spaced from said first flange; first and second bone receiving cavities defined by said first flange and said second flange and adapted to engage the exterior and interior surfaces of the bone portions; means for connecting said first flange to said second flange; and wherein said first flange, said second flange, and said means for connecting are made from a flexible bio-resorbable material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
10 words
The fastener of claim 22 wherein said fastener is unitary.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fastener of claim 22 wherein said first flange is disposed proximate said interior surface and said second flange is disposed proximate said exterior surface and said first flange and said second flange cooperate to grip the bone portions therebetween without penetrating said bone portions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fastener of claim 22 wherein said fastener has a pre-use state and a use state and wherein, in said pre-use state, said second flange has a generally curved surface bounding at least one of said bone receiving cavities.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
106 words
The fastener of claim 23 wherein: said fastener has a pre-use state and a use state and wherein, in said pre-use state, said second flange has a generally curved surface bounding at least one of said bone receiving cavities; said first and second flanges have substantially uniform respective thicknesses and respective dull perimeter edges; said second flange is larger than said first flange as measured along the direction perpendicular to the interface between the bone portions; said first and second bone receiving cavities are substantially identical; said connecting means includes a generally planar rib; wherein said fastener is unitary and made from a flexible bio-resorbable material.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of joining first and second bone portions using a temporary fastener, comprising: a) forming at least one osteotomy cut line substantially defined by first and second bone edge portions adjacent to each other on along at least one edge; b) providing a flexible fastener having at least a first flange, a second flange, a rib linking said first flange to said second flange, first bone receiving cavity, a second bone receiving cavity; c) installing said flexible fastener between said first and second bone edge portions such that said first flange is disposed interior to said bone portions and said second flange is exterior to said bone portions; and d) thereafter allowing said fastener to dissolve over an extended period of time.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of joining first and second bone portions using a temporary fastener, comprising: a) forming at least one osteotomy cut line substantially defined by first and second bone edge portions adjacent to each other on along at least one edge; b) providing a flexible fastener having at least a first flange, a second flange, a rib linking said first flange to said second flange, first bone receiving cavity, a second bone receiving cavity; c) installing said flexible fastener between said first and second bone edge portions such that said first flange is disposed interior to said bone portions and said second flange is exterior to said bone portions; and d) thereafter allowing said fastener to dissolve over an extended period of time.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said installing further includes thereafter positioning the second bone edge portion in said second bone receiving cavity and gripping said second bone edge portion between said first flange and said second flange.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said installing includes bringing said first and second bone edge portions into contact with said rib.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said rib occupies substantially all the space between said first bone edge portion and said second bone edge portion in the immediate area of said flexible fastener.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said flexible fastener is made from a bio-resorbable material and further comprising allowing said fastener to remain in place until said fastener dissolves.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said flexible fastener is unitary.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said extended period of time is greater than ninety days.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said installing is accomplished without the use of tools.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said installing includes: a) deflecting said first flange proximate the second bone receiving cavity so as to shrink the second bone receiving cavity and thereby expand the first bone receiving cavity; b) positioning said first bone edge portion within said first bone receiving cavity and releasing said first flange and thereby gripping said first bone edge portion between said first flange and said second flange.
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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) | 2004-03-05 | 2004-09-04 | 2005-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-05 | 2008-09-04 | 2009-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-05 | 2012-09-04 | 2013-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |