Patents by Inventor Tero Valimaa

Tero Valimaa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20050261780
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh implant for the fixation of bone fragments and bridging of bone defects or gaps. The bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh includes a plurality of openings and connectors, where each opening is connected to another opening by a connector. In addition, the bioabsorbable polymeric mesh is deformable at room temperature without breaking. The present invention also include embodiments drawn to methods of using the bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh implant. In an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes applying the bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh implant to a damaged bone area, the damaged bone area, which is curved, concave, convex, angular, spherical, or any combination thereof. Another embodiment of the present invention, substitutes the bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh implant including a film, for the mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Harri Heino, Kari Laakso, Tero Valimaa, Andreas Jaschek, Pertti Tormala
  • Publication number: 20040068262
    Abstract: In the present invention, a bioabsorbable implant is described, which may be manufactured of bioabsorbable polymer, copolymer, polymer alloy or fiber reinforced and/or particle filled composite, and which may be pushed into a hole or drill canal made in bone, for fixing a soft tissue graft into the drill hole. The implant of the present invention includes an body having an outer surface which comprises at least one gripping element to lock the implant directly into the drill hole, and at least one recess for receiving soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Lemos, Tero Valimaa, Petri Kujansuu, Mika Vihavainen, Pertti Tormala
  • Patent number: 6709452
    Abstract: A biodegradable implant for installation in living tissue having a first section made from a first bioabsorbable material and a second section made from a second bioabsorbable material, wherein the first and second sections are connected, the first section having a first rate of degradation in living tissue and a first rate of expansion in living tissue and the second section having a second rate of degradation in living tissue and a second rate of expansion in living tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Linvatec Biomaterial Oy
    Inventors: Tero Välimaa, James Hogan
  • Patent number: 6685734
    Abstract: A device for inserting a stent in a body cavity, particularly useful for inserting a stent into a human male urethra to treat prostatic hyperplasia, whereby such device has an elongated member for removably receiving a stent and means capable of protruding from the member to either locate an obstruction, such as the sphincter muscle, in the body cavity or to prevent the stent from sliding off of the member, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Linvatec Biomaterials Oy
    Inventors: Tero Välimaa, Martti Talja, Pertti Törmälä
  • Publication number: 20030097148
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical fastener made of a bioabsorbable elastomeric material for the repair of tissues. The fastener may be elongated, thereby creating a compression force across or within the tissue being repaired. The present invention also includes embodiments drawn to methods of using the surgical fastener, such as applying the surgical fastener to a ruptured meniscus or using the surgical fastener to attach a fibrous implant or tissue transplant on or in a living tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Tero Valimaa, Pertti Tormala
  • Patent number: 6524345
    Abstract: A surgical implant comprising biodegradable polymer interspersed with ceramic particulate that is visible to radioscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Bionx Implants Oy
    Inventors: Tero Välimaa, Pertti Törmälä
  • Publication number: 20020169452
    Abstract: A fastener for repairing tissue or for attaching generally fibrous matter to tissue comprising a shaft comprising a curved, tapered proximal end configured to arrest the movement of the fastener in the distal direction, and a distal portion having protrusions for allowing movement in the distal direction and arresting movement in the proximal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Pertti Tormala, Tero Valimaa, Kimmo Lahteenkorva
  • Patent number: 6406498
    Abstract: The Applicants' invention is a bioactive, biocompatible, bioabsorbable surgical composite that is fabricated bioabsorbable polymers, copolymers or polymer alloys that are self-reinforced and contain ceramic particles or reinforcement fibers, and also can be porous. The composite of the invention can be formed into devices like pins, screws, plates, tacks, bolts, intramedullary nails, suture anchors, staples, and many other devices, all of which are useful in bone-to-bone, soft tissue-to-bone or soft tissue-to-soft tissue fixation or in fixation of bioabsorbable and/or biostable implants in or on bone or soft tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Bionx Implants Oy
    Inventors: Pertti Törmälä, Tero Välimaa, Henna Niiranen, Timo Pohjonen, Penti Rokkanen
  • Patent number: 6228111
    Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable implant or the like manufactured of polymer-based material and intended to be installed in tissue conditions. In the macroscopic structure of the implant two or several zones are created in a manner that the biodegradable polymer-based material has in different zones a different detaching time from the macroscopic structure under tissue conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Bionx Implants Oy
    Inventors: Pertti Törmälä, Tero Välimaa