Prevention of re-use of a medical device
AssigneeStryker Trauma GmbH
InventorsRoland Thomke, Hans-Peter Bigler, Philippe Lehmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least a clamping means to be introduced into the medical device, the clamping means comprises an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.
Claims14
A disposable medical device, for an articulation element for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, comprising:
- at least one clamping means to be introduced into the medical device and having an opening,
- an insert arranged in the opening of the clamping means,
- wherein the insert is visible from the outside when the clamping means is used,
- wherein the insert visible characteristics are altered when being heated over a threshold temperature, wherein the threshold temperature is higher than 30° C., and
- wherein the insert alters its state from a rigid state to a viscous state at the threshold temperature.
A disposable medical device, especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, comprising
- at least one clamp to be introduced into the medical device and having a central shaft and an opening with a clearance, and
- an insert arranged in the opening of the clamp,
- wherein the insert encompasses a central shaft of the clamp at least partially,
- wherein the insert alters its state from a rigid state to a viscous or liquid state when being exposed above a threshold temperature, wherein the threshold temperature is higher than 30° C., and
- wherein at least parts of the insert can flow along the central shaft and establish a locking closure between the central shaft and a functional element of the device as soon as the temperature falls below the threshold temperature and the insert reaches a rigid state again.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.