Modular surgical implant
AssigneeUnited States Surgical Corporation
InventorDeborah L. Sanders
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for segments of a modular surgical implant includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and second portion are configured to snap-fit together to mate and form a swivel coupling. A modular implant includes at least first and second segments which are connected by such a connector having first and second portions. The first portion is secured to the first segment and the second portion is secured to the second segment. The first portion and second portion are configured to mate and form a swivel such that the first segment and second segment are movable in multiplanar orientation relative to each other.
Claims18
A biocompatible connector for segments of a modular surgical implant comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having first and second ends, the first end configured to be secured into one segment of a modular surgical implant, the second end having a first engaging structure to mate with a corresponding second engaging structure on the second portion, the second portion having first and second ends, the first end configured to be secured into another segment of the modular surgical implant, the second end incorporating the second engaging structure which is configured to mate with the first engaging structure of the first portion to form a snap-fit swivel coupling.
A modular surgical implant comprising at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the second segment by a connector having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being secured into the first segment and the second portion being secured into the second segment, the first portion and the second portion dimensioned and configured to mate and form a swivel such that the first segment and second segment are movable in multiplanar orientation relative to each other.
A method of implanting a surgical implant comprising:
- providing first and second segments of a modular surgical implant, the first segment having a first portion of a connector secured thereto, the second portion having a second portion of the connector secured thereto, the first portion having an engaging structure for mating with a corresponding engaging structure of the second portion to form a snap-fit swivel coupling;
- inserting the first segment into a patient;
- inserting the second segment into a patient;
- combining the first segment with the second segment by snap-fitting the engaging structure of the first portion to the corresponding engaging structure of the second portion;
- shaping the modular surgical implant to a desired configuration by swiveling the first segment in relation to the second segment;
- and
- adhering the modular surgical implant to underlying bone.
A biocompatible connector for segments of a modular surgical implant comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having first and second ends, the first end configured to be secured to one segment of a modular surgical implant, the second end having a male first engaging structure to mate with a corresponding female second engaging structure on the second portion, the femme engaging structure including at least one expansion slot, the second portion having first and second ends, the first end configured to be secured to another segment of the modular surgical implant, the second end incorporating the second engaging structure which is configured to a mate with the first engaging structure of the first portion to form a snap-fit swivel coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.