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:
Feb. 06, 2007
Filed:
Aug. 05, 2003
Hai H. Trieu, Cordova, TN (US);
Jeff R. Justis, Cordova, TN (US);
Troy D. Drewry, Memphis, TN (US);
Michael C. Sherman, Memphis, TN (US);
Bradley J. Coates, Rossville, TN (US);
Bradley T. Estes, Memphis, TN (US);
Hai H. Trieu, Cordova, TN (US);
Jeff R. Justis, Cordova, TN (US);
Troy D. Drewry, Memphis, TN (US);
Michael C. Sherman, Memphis, TN (US);
Bradley J. Coates, Rossville, TN (US);
Bradley T. Estes, Memphis, TN (US);
SDGI Holdings, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to orthopedic implants and to methods of treating bone defects. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to non-metallic implants and to methods for intra-operative assembly and fixation of orthopedic implants to facilitate medical treatment. The non-metallic implant assembly can be secured to underlying tissue by a fastener, such as a bone screw, that is capable of swelling on contact with fluid in the underlying tissue. Alternatively, the non-metallic implant assembly can be assembled intra-operatively using a fastener that is adhesively bonded to a bone plate or the bone plate can be deformed using heat, force, or solvents to inhibit withdrawal of the fastener. In preferred embodiments, both the fastener and the bone plate are formed of biodegradable material.