Automated implantable bone distractor for incremental bone adjustment
US6033412A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00867
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An implantable distractor that provides controlled forceful movement either to facing bone ends created by osteotomy or across cranial sutures for the purpose of fostering bone deposition to support bone growth (distraction osteogenesis). The improved Distractor adjusts separation of such through precise, forceful, incremental movements. The mechanism has an actuator powered by intermittent electrical current flow through a shape-memory-effect (SME) actuation component. The SME component deforms forcefully. This force is amplified to result in incremental separation of two plates affixed to bone on either side of the osteotomy or suture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.