Fasteners with shape changing bellows and methods using same
US9138274B1 · kind B1 · utility
74Cited by
13References
20Claims
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Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/564
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fastening device having a bellows made of a material that changes shape when activated by a catalyst, and having a pleated structure that contracts from an extended state to a contracted state upon activation. The shape changing material may be a shape memory metal alloy, shape memory polymer or elastic memory composite. A method of using this fastener provides apposition and compression of abutment surfaces to join together two pieces of material, and is suitable for joining apposing bone surfaces together to heal fractures via the use of orthopedic hardware.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.