The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 30, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 22, 1998
Steve T Lin, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Steven L Krebs, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., New York, NY (US);
Abstract
A biodegradable device for repairing torn meniscal cartilage comprising a shaft and tissue gripping means at both ends. One end is adapted to pierce the tissue and the opposite end is adapted to fit a driver. The central portion of the device is essentially smooth along its length. The device has been subjected to a drawing operation after fabrication leaving the molecules in the shaft in a higher state of residual stress. When the device is exposed to an aqueous environment, the water absorbed by the polymer lowers the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Lowering glass transition temperature allows increased molecular mobility causing the device to contract. The contraction pulls the torn tissues into close apposition during healing. As the tissue heals, the tension is released by the polymer resorbing.