Patent · US Expired

Fasteners having coordinated self-seeking conforming members and uses thereof

US5882351A · kind A · utility

96Cited by
39References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 7, 1997
Grant dateMar 16, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 7, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S606/91
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Fasteners having coordinated self-seeking conforming members or implanting into a cavity such as a hole, tube, or hard tissue defect are provided. An actuator mechanism translates applied force to conform members of a plurality of members to the cavity. The fasteners may be used for implanting a prosthetic device into hard tissue of humans or animals, for anchoring a device while the device is being worked on, for centering a device in a hole or tube, such as in well technology. The mechanism operates expanding members so that they independently or dependently conform and apply controlled and known pressure to surrounding materials.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.