Craniotomy Closures

• US 20090076617A1
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Amsterdam LLC
• Original Assignee: Biodynamics LLC (GreenGro Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ralph, James D., Troxell, Thomas N., Michels, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,460,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.190
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/686 Plugs, i.e. elements forming interface between bone hole and implant or fastener, e.g. screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/688 for reattaching pieces of the skull

Abstract

Craniotomy closures comprising surgical fasteners are described for use in reattaching a skull flap removed from the skull of a patient during brain surgery. Methods of using the same are also described. Surgical strips used in combination with the fasteners are shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The craniotomy closures are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement materials to the surgical site.

Claims

1. A craniotomy closure comprised of

a fastener used to reattach a skull flap removed from a skull during brain surgery, the skull flap having a perimeter contour,

the fastener comprising a flange which can be disposed over and affixed to the skull flap and the skull and a projection extending downwardly from a lower surface of the flange, the projection being positioned and sized to fit in a kerf between the skull flap and the skull, and

a surgical strip which can be formed around the perimeter contour and which is sized to fit in the kerf.

2. The closure of claim 1 comprising at least two fasteners.

3. The closure of claim 1 comprising at least two surgical strips.

4. The closure of claim 1 wherein the surgical strip is affixed to the projection.

5. The closure of claim 1 wherein the projection has an aperture and the surgical strip is threaded through the aperture.

6. The closure of claim 1 wherein the surgical strip has a cross-section in the shape of a V, U, J, W or a tube.

7. The closure of claim 5 wherein the aperture is shaped to fit the surgical strip.

8. The closure of claim 1 wherein the projection is flexible and is sized to fit under compression in the kerf.

9. The closure of claim 1 wherein the surgical strip is a formable material, a moldable material or a compressible material.

16. The closure of claim 1 wherein the surgical strip further comprises a leader affixed to one end thereof.

17. The closure of claim 1 wherein the surgical strip further comprises a leader affixed to both ends thereof.

10. A fastener used to reattach a skull flap removed from a skull during brain surgery comprising a flange which can be disposed over and affixed to the skull flap and the skull and a projection extending downwardly from a lower surface of the flange, the projection being positioned and sized to fit in a kerf between the skull flap and the skull when the fastener is implanted in a patient.

11. The fastener of claim 10 wherein the skull flap has a perimeter and the projection has a laterally disposed aperture, the aperture having a central axis disposed in parallel with the lower surface and approximately in parallel with the perimeter at a point of contact of the projection with the perimeter when the fastener is implanted in a patient.

12. The fastener of claim 10 wherein the projection is flexible and is sized to fit under compression in the kerf.

13. The fastener of claim 11 further comprising an opening extending from the upper surface of the flange into the aperture.

14. The fastener of claim 10 comprising at least two projections, the projections being positioned and sized to fit in the kerf when the fastener is implanted in a patient.

15. The fastener of claim 14 comprising more than two projections.

18. A method of reattaching to a skull a skull flap removed from a skull to make an opening in the skull during brain surgery, the skull flap having a perimeter contour, comprising the sequential steps of

affixing to the skull flap at least one flange which can be disposed over and affixed to the skull flap and the skull, the flange having a projection extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof, the projection being positioned and sized to fit in a kerf between the skull flap and the skull,

shaping at least one surgical strip to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap and affixing the surgical strip to the skull flap and/or the projection, and

affixing the flange to the skull, thereby affixing the skull flap to the skull.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the projection has a laterally disposed aperture, the aperture having a central axis disposed in parallel with a lower surface of the flange and approximately in parallel with the perimeter contour at a point of contact of the projection with the perimeter contour, at least one surgical strip being threaded through the aperture.

20. A method of reattaching to a skull a skull flap removed from a skull to make an opening in the skull during brain surgery, the skull flap having a perimeter contour, comprising the sequential steps of

affixing to the skull flap at least one flange which can be disposed over and affixed to the skull flap and the skull, the flange having a projection extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof, the projection being positioned and sized to fit in a kerf between the skull flap and the skull,

affixing the flange to the skull, thereby affixing the skull flap to the skull, and

implanting at least one surgical strip in a kerf between the skull flap and the skull.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the projection has a laterally disposed aperture, the aperture having a central axis disposed in parallel with a lower surface of the flange and approximately in parallel with the perimeter contour at a point of contact of the projection with the perimeter contour, at least one surgical strip being threaded through the aperture.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein at least one surgical strip is implanted by pressing, pouring, squeezing or injecting it into the kerf.