Method of using template in manufacturing an implant for spinal or other orthopedic fixation
AssigneeBiedermann Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
InventorsLutz Biedermann, Achim Zipse
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A template for use in producing an implant for use in spinal or other orthopedic fixation is provided, where the template is adjustable between a first configuration in which the template is capable of bending in response to a force and is capable of retaining a bent shape, and a second configuration in which the template assumes a memorized shape in response to directing the temperature of the template to value that is at or above a recovery level, where the recovery level is above body temperature. A spinal or orthopedic implant is formed by duplicating the bent shape of the template.
Claims13
A method of using a template to form an implant for spinal or other orthopaedic fixation, wherein the implant is separate from the template, the template being adjustable between a first configuration wherein the template is bendable in response to a force and is capable of retaining a bent shape, and a second configuration wherein the template assumes a memorized shape in response to directing a temperature of the template to be at or above a recovery level, wherein the temperature of the recovery level is above body temperature, the method comprising:
- bending the template to a shape for spinal or other orthopaedic fixation when the template is in the first configuration;
- bending the separate implant to the shape of the template in the first configuration while holding the template in the first configuration;
- and
- heating the template to a temperature at or above the recovery level after bending the separate implant to the shape of the template and when the template is outside of a human body, to cause the template to assume the memorized shape of the second configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.