Bone and tissue connectors
OwnerRoger H. Michaelinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Bone and tissue connectors are designed for use on or in the human body for the purpose of connecting bone or soft tissue to promote a healing process. Various embodiments are in the form of bands, straps, braids, or rods and are secured by fasteners such as pegs, plates, screws and cable ties. All of the connectors are formed from materials having a similar modulusof elasticity as bone and include, among others, polyethylene, polysulfone, collagen and polymer-carbon fiber composites.
Claims3
A new and improved orthopedic fixation device comprising a connector adapted to hold pieces of bone or other body tissue together during a healing phase, said connector having a body portion and means for attaching said body portion to said bone pieces or other body tissue, said connector being of a material having substantially the same modulus of elasticity as said bone or other tissue wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polysulfone, collagen, or polymer-carbon,
- wherein said body portion comprises a flexible rod having a round cross-section, a first head portion fixed integrally at one end thereof opposite a free end of said rod, a series of circumferentially extending stop means disposed axially along said rod, and a second movable head portion having an aperture therein for receiving said free end of said rod, and locking means positioned inside of said aperture of said second movable head portion for engaging said stop means as said second head portion is moved axially along said rod in the direction of said first head portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.