Patent ID: 6068631
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of postoperatively fixing back into an opening in the cranium a plug of bone removed therefrom during a surgical operation, wherein the plug is to be repositioned in the opening such that the space between the plug and the surrounding cranial bone is approximately the width of the kerf formed during the surgical operation and the internal and external surfaces of the plug are to be held in alignment with the adjacent internal and external surfaces of the surrounding cranial bone, comprising:placing a fixation device in the opening adjacent the surrounding cranial bone, the fixation device including the following elements formed of a physiologically compatible substance:a pin having a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;a substantially rigid first disk mounted centrally on the shaft of the pin at the proximal end, the first disk having an inner surface oriented toward the distal end of shaft and an opposite outer surface;a substantially rigid second disk mounted centrally on the shaft of the pin at the distal end, the second disk having a bore formed therein through which the shaft of the pin extends, an inner surface facing the first disk, and an opposite outer surface, the second disk being movable along the shaft towards the first disk from a first position away from the first disk to a second position closer to the first disk; andmeans for retaining the second disk in the second position;moving the fixation device into a position in the opening wherein a portion of the shaft of the pin between the proximal end and distal end is adjacent the surrounding cranial bone, the inner surface of the first disk faces the internal surface of the surrounding cranial bone, and the inner surface of the second disk face the external surface of the surrounding cranial bone;repositioning the plug of bone in the opening adjacent the fixation device such that the space between the plug and the surrounding cranial bone is approximately the width of the kerf formed during the surgical operation and the internal and external surfaces of the plug are approximately in alignment with the adjacent internal and external surfaces of the surrounding cranial bone, and such that the inner surface of the first disk faces the internal surface of the plug, the internal surface of the second disk faces the external surface of the plug, and the shaft extends through the space between the plug and the surrounding cranial bone;moving the second disk along the shaft towards the first disk from the first position to the second position, wherein in the second position the first and second disks engage and align the internal and external surfaces of the plug and surrounding cranial bone.