Patent ID: 6572623
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

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 a second kerf edge on the skull, said apparatus comprising:at least one attachment device made of a bioabsorbable polymeric material, said at least one attachment device having a head portion, a main body portion, and an end portion that is deformable upon heating to a predetermined temperature; said end portion of said at least one attachment device having a first condition in which said end portion extends axially from said main body portion and a second condition in which said end portion extends radially from said main body portion for engaging an inner surface of the cranial flap, said end portion being deformable from said first condition to said second condition during surgery by heating said end portion and forming said end portion around the first kerf edge of the cranial flap to clamp said at least one attachment device to the cranial flap; said main body portion of said at least one attachment device including a first surface portion for attaching to the first kerf edge on the cranial flap and a second surface portion for attaching to the second kerf edge on the skull; said at least one attachment device being positionable in the kerf between the cranial flap and the skull to secure the cranial flap to the skull by frictional engagement between said first surface portion against the first kerf edge and frictional engagement between said second surface portion against the second kerf edge; said first surface portion on said main body portion of said at least one attachment device including teeth for engaging the first kerf edge on the cranial flap.