Patent · US Active

Methods for utilizing vibratory energy to weld, stake and/or remove implants

US8496657B2 · kind B2 · utility

52Cited by
673References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 29, 2008
Grant dateJul 30, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2007/0013
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Vibratory energy is applied using a horn applied to the fastener, and tuned to generate vibratory motion proximate the horn, or at a point distal to the horn, for example at a point along the fastener body, or at the end of the fastener. Melted or softened material of the fastener bonds to a contacting surface, which may be body tissue or another implant. The contacting surface may also include bondable material, softenable or meltable through vibratory energy derived from contact with the fastener. To improve a bond, particularly where dissimilar materials are to be bonded, one or more contacting surfaces is provided with a roughened or porous surface, or a surface including one or more cavities or projections into or onto which softened or melted bondable material may form, bonding once the bondable material has cooled.

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