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:
Jan. 18, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1997
Pertti Tormala, Tampere, FI;
Markku Tamminmaki, Tampere, FI;
Pertti Helevirta, Tampere, FI;
Dennis M Nigro, Encinitas, CA (US);
Bionx Implants Oy, Tampere, FI;
Abstract
A bioabsorbable surgical implant for use in supporting soft tissue in a superior position in the body is described. The surgical implant includes a shaft that connects the implant to a bone or hard tissue and a head secured to the shaft. The head of the implant has a concave lower surface so that a suture (or sutures) can easily be wound around the shaft below the head and locked to this position by tightening the head against bone or hard tissue and by pushing or turning the shaft into the bone or hard tissue. The connected shaft and head are formed from a resorbable polymer, copolymer, polymer alloy or composite, which maintains a specified strength for a period of time at least equal to a healing period for the patient. Thereafter, the surgical implant is substantially resorbed by the body over a period of time needed for healing. The surgical implant is particularly adapted for use in endoscopic face and/or brow lift surgery and other endoscopic cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures, where sutures are applied for tissue lifting.