Auxiliary Means and Method for Fastening a Capping on Bone Tissue or the Like

The present invention is directed to promoting the growth of tissue in localized areas and more particularly to the fastening of a capping on a bone, such as a jawbone, to promote the formation of new tissue.

Bones, such as jawbones (e.g. the mandible), can be abraded or fractured or otherwise result in localized depressions because of diseases which, for example, effect a body's calcium content or because of infections destroying bone tissue. Such destruction or slight unevenness can be "repaired" if new bone tissue can be made to grow into the fractured or abraded areas by using, for instance, a cuff comprised of a pliable, tissue-friendly foil. The cuff would permit the formation of new bone material beneath it until the new material reaches its underside surface. Such methods, to data however, could be used for restoring only very small depressions or localized unevenness.

It is therefore an object of the invention to create an auxiliary means and method for fastening a capping on bone tissue or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary means and method for fastening a capping on bone tissue to promote the formation of new bone or tissue to levels not achieved in prior art methods for fastening a capping on bone tissue, particularly on the jawbone.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary means and method for fastening a capping on bone tissue or the like to facilitate growing of bone, for example, between two teeth or between teeth and a denture.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary means and method for fastening a capping on a bone tissue, wherein such means is economical and safe.

These and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent hereafter, are achieved by an auxiliary means and method for fastening a capping on bone tissue or the like, comprising generally a pin, having a bead at one end with a face for engagement of a screwdriver or other rotational tool, an internal thread, an external thread at the other end of the pin for screw insertion into the bone tissue and a cylindrical, smooth-walled segment between the bead and external thread. A corresponding cap screw is threaded into the pin's internal thread for retention of a biocompatible foil between the pin and the screw. New tissue, such as bone tissue, grows over the abraded or fractured areas until it reaches the underside of the biocompatible foil. The invention may be employed to facilitate growing of bone, for example, between two teeth or between teeth and a denture.

The invention will be better understood in the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments, in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side, partially cutout and partially perspective view of the pin according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially side view and partially perspective view of a cap screw associated with the pin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the pin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially cutout and partially perspective view of a second embodiment of the pin; and

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a jawbone with pins inserted therein.

Reviewing now the drawings, wherein like numerals reflect like elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 and 3 depict pin 1, comprising bead 2 on its left end and segment 4, on its right end, having external thread 3 to be screwed into tissues, such as a jawbone. Thread 3 has a profile with is particularly suited for being threaded into bone. Between the external thread 3 carrying segment 4 and bead 2 is a smooth-walled cylindrical segment 5. Cylindrical segment 5 has a diameter d.sub.2 which is at least as large although preferably somewhat larger than diameter d.sub.1 of the external thread 3. Bead 2 contains dead end hole 8 which extends from the left side of the bead 2 and pin 1 into the pin 1.

The hole 8 has an internal hexagonal surface 8a which facilitates the insertion of a hexagonal screwdriver or similar rotational tool whose dimensions conform to existing standards. The dead end hole 8 furthermore has an internal thread 9 (extending further internally from hexagonal surface 8a) and is dimensioned to accommodate screw 10 (See FIGS. 2, 5) until screw head 11 contacts bead 2.

Screw head 11 is configured to conform to the bead 2 and has the same diameter d.sub.3 which is preferably identical to the diameter of the bead 2. The diameter of threaded segment 13 is configured to allow for adequate wall thickness in the region of the internal thread 9 of the pin 1 and to accommodate external thread 12. Although various dimensions for the elements employed in the invention may be used, the following dimensions have been shown to be effective and are deemed to be preferred for a typical application, at this time:

FIG. 4 is a partially cutout and partially perspective view of a second embodiment of the pin of the invention. The pin 30, in this embodiment, is similar in size and dimension to pin 1, except that the axial length L.sub.4 of the cylindrical smooth-walled segment 32 is twice as long as the corresponding segment 5 in the first embodiment. Of course, longer or shorter segment pins may be used according to, for example, the amount of tissue which must be grown to rebuild the bone to the desired amount.

Additionally, the internal hole could be shaped for engagement of a rotational tool or screwdriver having, for instance, a triangular, square or five-cornered surface, rather than a hexagonal surface. Furthermore, two radially extending slots could be provided on the edge 24 of the pin and also on the corresponding edge 23 of the screw 10 for engagement of a conventional screwdriver.

FIG. 5 cross-sectionally depicts typical use of the invention. Two pins 1, 30 are threaded into the jawbone 41 to such a depth that the entire carrying segment 4 of each pin is located inside the bone. A tissue-friendly capping foil 42, preferably comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene, is placed over these pins and fastened at the foil edge to the jawbone with screws 43. Screws 10 are then threaded into pins 1 and 30 for subsequently securing foil 42. Experience has shown that bone mass 44 will begin to grow between the bone 41 and the foil 42 until the entire space therebetween is filled. At that time, foil 42, screws 10, 43 and pins 1, 30 may be removed to allow mucus membrane the opportunity again to grow across the bone.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in the auxiliary means for fastening a capping on bone tissue or the like, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.