Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for transversely connecting a first member to a second member, comprising: a receiver element defining a first passage and a second passage oriented transverse to said first passage, said first passage being adapted to receive a portion of the first member therein, said second passage being adapted to receive a portion of the second member therein; and at least one compression element at least partially formed of a shape-memory material and being disposed about a portion of said receiver element, said at least one compression element being transitionable between a first configuration and a second memorized configuration, said receiver element being compressed about said portion of the first member disposed within said first passage and said portion of the second member disposed within said second passage when said at least one compression element is transitioned from said first configuration toward said second memorized configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for transversely connecting a first member to a second member, comprising: a receiver element defining a first passage and a second passage oriented transverse to said first passage, said first passage being adapted to receive a portion of the first member therein, said second passage being adapted to receive a portion of the second member therein; and at least one compression element at least partially formed of a shape-memory material and being disposed about a portion of said receiver element, said at least one compression element being transitionable between a first configuration and a second memorized configuration, said receiver element being compressed about said portion of the first member disposed within said first passage and said portion of the second member disposed within said second passage when said at least one compression element is transitioned from said first configuration toward said second memorized configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said receiver element has a first end and a second end, said first passage extending through said receiver element between said first and second ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 2 , wherein said receiver element has a substantially cylindrical configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 2 , wherein said second passage intersects said first passage at an angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 4 , wherein said angle is approximately 90 degrees.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The device of claim 2 , wherein said portion of the first member is disposed in said first passage adjacent one of said first and second ends, said second passage being configured as a channel extending across said receiver element and having an opening at another of said first and second ends, said opening being configured to receive said portion of the second member therethrough when said at least one compression element is in said first configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 6 , wherein one of said at least one compression element is disposed adjacent each of said first and second ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 7 , wherein said receiver element defines a first outer groove adjacent said first end and a second outer groove adjacent said second end, said first and second grooves being configured to receive a respective one of said at least one compression element therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said first passage and said portion of the first member are configured to allow the angular orientation of the first member to be variable adjusted relative to said receiver element when said at least one compression element is in said first configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said portion of the first member comprises an at least partially spherical portion, said at least partially spherical portion being disposed within said passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein said first passage includes an annular recess, said annular recess being sized to receive at least a portion of said at least partially spherical portion therein to allow the angular orientation of the first member to be variably adjusted relative to said receiver element when said at least one compression element is in said first configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one compression element is transitioned from said first configuration toward said second memorized configuration in response to a change in temperature.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
159 words
A device for transversely connecting a first member to a second member, comprising: a receiver element having a first end and a second end, said receiver element including: a recess extending from said first end and being adapted to receive a portion of the first member therein, and a channel extending transversely across said receiver element adjacent said second end and being adapted to receive a portion of the second member therein; and at least one compression element at least partially formed of a shape-memory material and being disposed about a portion of said receiver element, said at least one compression element being transitionable between a first configuration and a second memorized configuration, said receiver element being compressed about said portion of the first member disposed within said recess and about said portion of the second member disposed within said channel when said at least one compression element is transitioned from said first configuration toward said second memorized configuration.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
159 words
A device for transversely connecting a first member to a second member, comprising: a receiver element having a first end and a second end, said receiver element including: a recess extending from said first end and being adapted to receive a portion of the first member therein, and a channel extending transversely across said receiver element adjacent said second end and being adapted to receive a portion of the second member therein; and at least one compression element at least partially formed of a shape-memory material and being disposed about a portion of said receiver element, said at least one compression element being transitionable between a first configuration and a second memorized configuration, said receiver element being compressed about said portion of the first member disposed within said recess and about said portion of the second member disposed within said channel when said at least one compression element is transitioned from said first configuration toward said second memorized configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein said receiver element has a substantially cylindrical configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein one of said at least one compression element is disposed laterally adjacent said recess and another of said at least one compression element is disposed laterally adjacent said channel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein said channel has an opening at said second end, said opening being configured to receive said portion of the second member therethrough when said at least one compression element is in said first configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein said portion of the first member comprises an at least partially spherical portion, said recess including an annular recess configured to receive at least a portion of said at least partially spherical portion therein to allow the angular orientation of the first member to be variably adjusted relative to said receiver element when said compression element is in said first configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein said first member is a bone engaging fastener having an engaging portion configured to engage bone and a connecting portion disposed within said recess.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein said at least one compression element is transitioned from said first configuration toward said second memorized configuration in response to a change in temperature.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
81 words
A device for connecting a first member to a second member, comprising: means for connecting the first member to the second member, said means for connecting permitting the first member to assume a plurality of angular orientations relative to said means for connecting; and shape memory means for securing the first member at a substantially fixed position and angular orientation relative to said means for connecting, and the second member in a substantially fixed position relative to said means for connecting.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
A device for connecting a first member to a second member, comprising: means for connecting the first member to the second member, said means for connecting permitting the first member to assume a plurality of angular orientations relative to said means for connecting; and shape memory means for securing the first member at a substantially fixed position and angular orientation relative to said means for connecting, and the second member in a substantially fixed position relative to said means for connecting.