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US 8,617,240 B2Granted
Moldable cushion for implants
OwnerCharles D. Hightowerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Custom moldable cushions for covering medical implants fastened to a bone are provided. Such cushions inhibit irritation of the surrounding soft tissue by covering the bone-implant interface and by reducing friction caused by movement of soft tissue adjacent the implant. Such cushions may also be employed to spread and absorb forces reducing patient discomfort and risk of injury and infection associated with such implants.
Claims21
A kit comprising:
- a. at least one implantable medical device having an outer surface with a hole therein, the at least one implantable medical device selected from a group consisting of screws, plates, rods and formed augmentation structures;
- b. a medical implant cushion comprising a first portion and a second edge portion, the first portion having a predetermined fixed shape comprising a negative under surface corresponding to an outer surface of the implantable medical device, and having a button tab projecting from the negative under surface for insertion into the hole in the implantable medical device to attach the cushion to the implantable medical device, the second edge portion made of a biocompatible, non-absorbable polymer having a first state and a second state, wherein when the polymer is in the first state the polymer is formable into a desired shape adapted to cover at least a portion of the implantable medical device, and wherein the second state is a second final polymerization state in which the polymer retains the desired shape and is visco-elastic;
- and
- c. an insertion tool adapted to be temporarily attached to the cushion for positioning the cushion adjacent the implantable medical device so that the button tab is aligned with the hole in the outer surface of the implantable medical device upon implantation thereof.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.