Joining element

US9757121B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Joerg Mayer · Stuttgart, DE
• Jochen Ganz · Gossau, CH
• Beat Keller · Gossau, CH
• Ralph Hertel · Castel San Pietro, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 13, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 12, 2017
• Expiry date: Jul 13, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29C61/0608
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a joining element having a core having first and second opposed ends that define a length therebetween along a longitudinal direction, a jacket that surrounds the core along at least a portion of the length and defining first and second opposed ends that are spaced along the longitudinal direction, where the first and second opposed ends are in mechanical communication with the first and second ends of the core; and, where one of the jacket and the core is pre-tensioned, and the other of the jacket and the core is configured to transition from a first rigid configuration where its length is constant, to a second deformed configuration where the one of the jacket and the core relaxes from a pre-tensioned state so as to draw the first and second opposed ends of the other of the jacket and the core toward each other.