Methods and apparatus for replacing biological joints using bone mineral substance in a suspended state
OwnerRobert J. Daleyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for replacing biological joints, but applies also to the fixation of any solid implant for use in dental or orthopaedic applications. In general, an ideal amount of bone mineral substance is applied to the implant prior to going in to the operating room. Next, the setting (e.g., drying) process is suspended with a coating and/or a chemical. Once the implant(s) are needed in the operating room, the setting process is resumed. In this manner, the bone mineral substance does not need to be applied in the operating room, the surgeon does not need to “race the clock,” and each implant is placed with the ideal amount of bone mineral substance in the ideal consistency.
Claims30
A method of replacing a biological joint, the method comprising:
- applying bone mineral substance to an implant, the bone mineral substance being associated with an active setting process;
- placing the setting process into a suspended state;
- transporting the implant to an operating room with the bone mineral substance in the suspended state;
- and
- resuming the setting process in the operating room.
A joint replacement apparatus comprising:
- an implant;
- and
- bone mineral substance attached to the implant, the bone mineral substance being associated with an active setting process that is in a suspended state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.