Element for temporarily increasing the rigidity of an orthopaedic prosthesis
US5725590A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0031
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The element (20) according to the invention comprises a biodegradable body which is, before or during the implantation of an orthopaedic prosthesis (1), inserted into a recess (2) in the prosthesis (1) such that the rigidity of the prosthesis is increased. The element (20) provides mechanical connection between the shell segments (1a, 1b, 1c) so that the element (20) performs a supporting function which reduces the elastic properties of the outer shell (1). The ability of the biodegradable element (20) to transfer forces is increasingly reduced after the implantation so that the outer shell (1) of the artificial acetabulum has increasingly more elastic properties depending on the mechanical properties determined by the structure. Some time after the implantation, the biodegradable element (20) degrades so much that it no longer transfers any forces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.