Patent ID: 8414627

Claim:
A resorbable screw fastener, comprising: a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the body portion having a helical thread formed thereon, the helical thread having a first diameter and the body portion having a second diameter; and a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion, the head portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to the first diameter of the helical thread, the head portion including a substantially flattened surface defined in an outermost diameter thereof, wherein the substantially flattened surface of the head portion is in radial registration with a substantially flattened surface formed in an outermost diameter of the helical thread, wherein the substantially flattened surfaces of the head portion and the helical thread are disposed between the second diameter of the body portion and the first diameter of the helical thread without projecting into the body portion, wherein the resorbable screw fastener has a shear strength of about 3.5 pounds to about 5.5 pounds during a period of time ranging from the time of implantation in vivo to about one week after implantation, a shear strength ranging from about 0.5 pounds to about 4.2 pounds during a period of time ranging from about one week to about 1.5 weeks after implantation, and a shear strength of about 0 pounds about one year after implantation.