Fastener for attaching objects to bones

• Main Authors: 111 WILLAIM ANSPACH, EDDY H DEL RIO, WILLIAM S REID, WILLIAM E JR ANSPACH
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 08.01.1997
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; BLASTING; DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS ORMACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS,CLIPS, WEDGES, JOINTS OR JOINTING; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; DIAGNOSIS; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; SURGERY; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; WEAPONS

A fastener adapted to expand into bone has a tubular body having a longitudinal opening therethrough with a stop within the opening. The body (10) has a head (10) at one end and a longitudinal slot (24) extends through the body near the other end to form ribs (12) that expand radially when the body is compressed. A puller (4) projects through the opening in the rivet (3) and has a head (20) that engages the other end to compress the rivet when the puller is pulled through the body. An annular recess (19) is formed in the puller near the head and the other end of the body is crimped into the recess to aid expansion of the ribs. The puller is weakened at a point (30) so that it will break upon continued pulling after the ribs reach a fully expanded state.