ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 8 -- United States Patent no. 12,728,008, issued on Sept. 8.
"Length-modulating total joint prosthesis and method" was invented by Melanie Peterson (Potomac, Md.) and Sang-Eun Song (Orlando, Fla.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A total joint prosthesis that achieves non-invasive length modification and a method of using the same is provided. A gearbox housing within the implant contains a lengthening mechanism comprising a rotatable magnetic rod mechanically coupled to a lengthening screw through a series of parallel gear sets. The lengthening screw is coupled to an internally threaded implant neck. An external magnetic device containing at least one rotatable magnet pro...