Patent ID: 6585739
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for attaching a cranial flap to a skull during surgery, the cranial flap and the skull being spaced apart by a kerf defined by a first kerf edge on the cranial flap and an oppositely disposed second kerf edge on the skull, said apparatus comprising:at leapt one attachment device comprising relatively movable first and second members, said first and second members being movable relative to each other along an axis; said first member having oppositely disposed first and second surfaces for engaging the first and second kerf edges, respectively, said first member further including an opening extending along said axis; said second member having oppositely disposed third and fourth surfaces for engaging the first and second kerf edges, respectively; and a shaft member connecting said first and second members, said shaft member being attached to said second member and extending through said opening in said first member; said at least one attachment device being positionable in the kerf and movable from a first condition in which said first surface on said first member and said third surface on said second member are not engaged with the first kerf edge and the second surface on said first member and said fourth surface for said second member are not engaged with the second kerf edge to a second condition in which said at least one attachment device is wedged in the kerf by circumferential pressure and frictional engagement between said first and third surfaces arid the first kerf edge and by circumferential pressure and frictional engagement between said second and fourth surfaces and the second kerf edge to thereby attach the cranial flap to the skull and prevent the cranial flap from moving relative to the skull; wherein relative movement between said first and second members draws said members toward each other along said axis.