Patent US3242922A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6325805B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shape memory alloy staple
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
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Filing: 1999-10-20
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Granted: 2001-12-04
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Expires: 2019-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A fusionless method of correcting spinal deformities in growing adolescents is disclosed utilizing a shape memory alloy staple. Various embodiments of the shape memory alloy staple include features such as barbs on the inner and outer surfaces of the prongs in the shape memory alloy staple as well as the use of notches on the crossbar or cross plate connecting the prongs to the shape memory alloy staple. In some embodiments, the shape memory alloy staple has an aperture defined through the cross plate for receiving a bone screw or other bone anchor which in turn allows the interconnection of a longitudinal member.
Inventors
- 👤 James Ogilvie
- 👤 Troy D. Drewry
- 👤 Michael C. Sherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/0644; A61B17/0642; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7002; A61B17/7019; A61B17/7022; A61B17/7026; A61B17/7028; A61B17/7044; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B2017/0641; A61F2/446; A61F2/4465; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A spinal staple, comprising: a first prong; a second prong; a bridge member interconnecting said first and second prongs and including a plurality of notches, said plurality of notches permitting independent seating of said first and second prongs; and wherein at least a portion of said staple is formed of a shape memory material having a memorized state and a deformed state, said first and second prongs being disposed closer to one another in said memorized state than in said deformed state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A spinal staple, comprising: a first prong; a second prong; a bridge member interconnecting said first and second prongs and including a plurality of notches, said plurality of notches permitting independent seating of said first and second prongs; and wherein at least a portion of said staple is formed of a shape memory material having a memorized state and a deformed state, said first and second prongs being disposed closer to one another in said memorized state than in said deformed state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of notches is disposed generally opposite each of said first and second prongs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second prongs has an inboard surface and an outboard surface, each of said surfaces defining a plurality of barbs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , wherein said first and second prongs are substantially parallel when in said deformed state and are angled toward one another when transformed toward said memorized state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second prongs includes a distal portion, said distal portions being disposed closer to one another in said memorized state than in said deformed state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , further comprising a third prong disposed adjacent said first prong to define a first pair of prongs, and a fourth prong disposed adjacent said second prong to define a second pair of prongs, said bridge member interconnecting said first and second pairs of prongs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , wherein said bridge member has an elliptical profile defined by truncating a generally circular cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second prongs has an elliptical profile defined by truncating a generally circular cross section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , wherein said bridge member includes an aperture extending therethrough, said bridge member being at least partially formed of a shape memory material having a memorized configuration and a deformed configuration, said aperture having a first cross section when in said memorized configuration and a second cross section when in said deformed configuration, said second cross section being greater than said first cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The spinal staple of claim 9 , wherein said aperture is sized to receive a portion of a bone anchor when in said deformed configuration and to capture said portion of said bone anchor when in said memorized configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The spinal staple of claim 9 , wherein said aperture is generally circular and has a first radius when in said memorized configuration and a second radius when in said deformed configuration, said second radius being greater than said first radius.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal staple of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of said aperture is tapered.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The spinal staple of claim 12 , wherein said bridge member includes an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, said tapered portion of said aperture tapering inwardly from said outer surface toward said inner surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second prongs includes a distal portion defining a pointed tip to aid in insertion of said first and second prongs into a vertebral body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The spinal staple of claim 1 , wherein said bridge member includes an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, said plurality of notches extending from said outer surface toward said inner surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spinal staple of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of notches extend entirely across a width of said outer surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A spinal staple, comprising: a cross member; a first leg extending from a first end portion of said cross member; a second leg extending from a second end portion of said cross member; and wherein said first and second legs each have an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, each of said surfaces defining a plurality of barbs; and wherein at least a portion of said staple is formed of a shape memory material having a memorized state and a deformed state, said first and second legs being disposed closer to one another in said memorized state than in said deformed state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
A spinal staple, comprising: a cross member; a first leg extending from a first end portion of said cross member; a second leg extending from a second end portion of said cross member; and wherein said first and second legs each have an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, each of said surfaces defining a plurality of barbs; and wherein at least a portion of said staple is formed of a shape memory material having a memorized state and a deformed state, said first and second legs being disposed closer to one another in said memorized state than in said deformed state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein said first and second legs each have a truncated circular cross section so as to define substantially flat surfaces extending between said inwardly facing and outwardly facing surfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein said cross member has a truncated circular cross section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein each of said surfaces defines at least three of said barbs.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein said staple is formed of commercially pure titanium.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein said cross member includes a plurality of notches formed generally opposite said first and second legs, said plurality of notches permitting independent seating of said first and second legs.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
75 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein said cross member includes an aperture extending therethrough, said cross member being at least partially formed of a shape memory material having a memorized configuration and a deformed configuration, said aperture having a first cross section when in said deformed configuration to receive a portion of a bone anchor and a second cross section when in said memorized configuration to capture said portion of said bone anchor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein said first and second legs are formed integral with said cross member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , further comprising a third leg extending from said first end portion of said cross member to define a first pair of legs, and a fourth leg extending from said second end portion of said cross member to define a second pair of legs.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein transformation from said deformed state toward said memorized state occurs without a corresponding change in temperature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The spinal staple of claim 17 , wherein said first and second legs are substantially parallel when in said deformed state and are angled toward one another when transformed toward said memorized state.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-03 | 2005-06-04 | 2005-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-03 | 2009-06-04 | 2009-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-03 | 2013-06-04 | 2013-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |