# US 12,004,777 B2 · Strength and fatigue life improvements for active bone and joint stabilization devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,777 B2 - Document ID: US12004777B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/331,192 - Filed: 2021-05-26 - Published: 2021-11-18 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-23 - Assignees: Medeon Biodesign, Inc. - Applicants: Medeon Biodesign, Inc. - Inventors: Kathryn A. Stecco; Frank P. Becking; Carlos Castro; Roger William Sharpe; Damon Covell Campbell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004777B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/683: {comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut} - A61F 2/30721: {Accessories} - A61B 17/68: Internal fixation devices {, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin (bone staples A61B17/0642)} - A61B 17/842: {Flexible wires, bands or straps (A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence)} - A61B 17/844: {with expandable anchors or anchors having movable parts} - A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect} - A61B 2017/681: {Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms} - A61F 2002/30092: {using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol} - A61F 2002/30565: {having spring elements} - A61F 2002/30622: {Implant for fusing a joint or bone material} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Bone and joint stabilization devices or systems are described that include multiple-layer bodies. The approach offers dramatically improved fatigue life as compared to one-piece spring members that are otherwise similar or comparable. Coordinated improved-strength anchor embodiments, anchor loading tools and methods of use are also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: an anchor loader comprising: an anchor loader body including a tunnel configured to receive a spring member; a plurality of flexible extensions from the anchor loader body, each of the flexible extensions including an overhanging tip configured to retain an anchor; and a lever arm connected to the anchor loader body, the lever arm being able to move toward the anchor loader body and including a tip configured to push an anchoring tooth to fix the anchor to the spring member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the anchor loader further comprises at least one detent feature positioned to interact with the spring member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one detent feature includes a V-shaped extension. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the spring member further comprises adjacent connectors along a lateral extent of the spring member, and wherein the V-shaped extension is positioned to fit between the adjacent connectors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one detent feature comprises a base, and wherein the V-shaped extension is integral with the base. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one detent feature includes at least two detent features. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the anchor loader comprises a deflectable beam, and wherein the at least one detent feature of the at least one anchor loader is carried by the deflectable beam. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one anchor loader comprises a slidable collar, the slidable collar configured for locking the at least one detent feature with the spring member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the spring member further comprises adjacent connectors along a lateral extent of the spring member, and the system further comprises at least one spur gear, the at least one spur gear configured and positioned to mesh with the spring member between the adjacent connectors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising at least one detent feature to interact with the at least one gear. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one detent feature comprises a pawl located at the end of a flexible arm. ### Claim 12 A system comprising: an anchor head; a spring member, wherein the spring member has an elongate stretchable structure with a plurality of beams arranged in opposing pairs, and a window is defined by each opposing beam pair; an anchor loader comprising: an anchor loader body including a tunnel configured to receive the spring member; a plurality of flexible extensions from the anchor loader body, each of the flexible extensions including an overhanging tip configured to retain the anchor head; and a lever arm connected to the anchor loader body, the lever arm being able to move toward the anchor loader body and including a tip configured to push an anchoring tooth to fix the anchor head to the spring member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the spring member comprises a NiTi alloy that is superelastic at human body temperature. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the anchor head includes a head base and a channel within the head base, and the anchoring tooth is configured to be pushed into the channel of the head base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the anchoring tooth is configured to be advanced within a corresponding window of an opposing beam pair of the opposing beam pairs of the spring member, such that the anchor head is capable of being fixed to the spring member.