Device for temporarily fixing bones
US6187008A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S606/908
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An implant has a threaded end for screwing into a bone on one side of a joint and an extending resorbable polymer shaft for crossing the joint. The resorbable shaft is fixed in a bone on the opposite side of the joint. The present invention avoids joint stiffness by allowing slight movement of the bones relative to one another initially while the soft tissues heal. As the shaft resorbs, it allows progressively more motion in the joint so that the articular surfaces are not degraded from lack of motion. Eventually, the shaft is completely resorbed thus requiring no removal operation. The implant of the present invention also finds application in bridging a bone fracture to allow progressive load shifting to the bone during healing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.