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:
Oct. 07, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2000
Eugene M. Wolf, San Rafael, CA (US);
Arthrex, Inc., Naples, FL (US);
Abstract
A bioabsorbable interference screw having a tapered profile which extends along substantially the entire length of the screw. The tapered profile makes the screw easy to insert while providing superior fixation resulting from a progressively increasing diameter. Upon insertion, the screw engages cortical bone at the back end of the bone tunnel and fills all but 5-10 mm. of the tunnel, thereby providing increased fixation strength while also promoting fast healing. The screw includes a head provided with a specially designed drive socket with radially extending slots at its outer end for receiving corresponding protrusions on the shaft of screwdriver. The drive socket optimizes the torque capacity of the screw. To maintain wall thickness, the socket has a taper corresponding to the tapered outer profile of the screw. The taper of the socket also permits easy insertion of the tip and shaft of the driver into the screw.