Patent ID: 6258089
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An appliance attachable to osseous material within a body, including:a biocompatible structural member having an exterior surface including opposite first and second exterior surface regions, and an interior surface region between said exterior surface regions defining a first aperture through the structural member;a biocompatible first fastener including an elongate longitudinal shank and a head larger in diameter than the shank, said shank adapted for a insertion through the first aperture and a penetration into osseous material to a depth sufficient to bring the first exterior surface region into a surface engagement with the osseous material while the head engages the interior surface region and thereby tends to maintain said surface engagement to fix the structural member substantially integrally to the osseous material; anda first retaining element permanently fixed to the structural member and movable from an open position for allowing travel of the head into the first aperture and against the interior surface region, to a closed position for maintaining the head against the interior surface region.