One-piece biocompatible absorbable rivet and pin for use in surgical procedures
US6846313B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/68
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A bioabsorbable rivet and pin fastener is formed as an elongated unit that may be used for anchoring, or for attachment of a fixation plate. The rivet has a head mechanically connected to two or more legs that extend generally distally from the head and may flex outwardly from a central rivet axis. The pin is integral with the rivet and oriented along the central axis by a connection such as a web or a plurality of braces, forming an integral, aligned, one-piece assembly that may, for example, be molded as a single piece. The connection breaks under force as the pin is driven into the rivet, so that the pin contacts internal surfaces of the legs and pushes the legs outward into frictional engagement with the surrounding bone. The one-piece assembly may be formed in a gated mold having a central pin with a relief passage that defines the braces between upper and lower portions of the rivet. The braces so formed at the weld line readily part from the mold, and are easily sheared when the pin is advanced during installation of the rivet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.