Device for securing an implant

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-retaining implant for fixing a bone cover or a bone fragment in an opening in a skull bone. The implant comprises a support element with an upper side and an lower side facing the bone cover. Arranged on the lower side of the support element is an extension, which supports a spike preferably extending parallel to the support element. The spike can be driven laterally into the bone cover or bone fragment by means of a driving-in device according to the invention. The driving-in device according to the invention comprises a receiving element for the implant. A driving-in mechanism for driving the implant into the bone cover or bone fragment can be coupled with the receiving element.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A device for securing a self-retaining implant to a bone cover or bone fragment, wherein the implant is of the type having a support element, an extension extending therefrom, and a spike affixed to the extension, the device comprising: 
 a receiving element defining a slot at one end thereof for receiving at least a portion of the implant; and    a driving-in mechanism coupled to the receiving element for driving the implant, laterally into the bone cover or bone fragment.    
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the receiving element includes an end such that a striking force can be applied to the end by means of the driving-in mechanism.  
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the driving-in mechanism comprises a striking element displaceable against a spring force.  
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the striking element is a first carriage guided coaxial to the receiving element.  
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the driving-in mechanism further comprises an operating mechanism, for selective coupling and decoupling with the striking element.  
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the driving-in mechanism further comprises a coupling device interposed between the operating mechanism and the striking element, the coupling device normally biased for coupling the operating mechanism with the striking element.  
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the driving-in mechanism further comprises a decoupling device for decoupling the coupling device of the operating mechanism from the striking element.  
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the device is includes a pistol grip.  
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 17 ,  18 , wherein the operating mechanism further includes a finger operable trigger.  
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 18 ,  21 , wherein the finger operable trigger is coupled with a second carriage displaceable against a spring force, and the coupling device couples and decouples the second carriage with the striking element.  
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein the receiving element extends forwardly from an upper part of the pistol grip in the manner of a gun barrel in relation to a gun body.  
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the receiving element further comprises a self-locking mechanism in the slot for releasably engaging the support element of the implant.  
     
     
         25 . A device for securing a self-retaining implant of the type having a support element, an extension extending therefrom, and a spike affixed to the extension to a bone cover or a bone fragment, the device comprising: 
 a force-transmitting element for cooperating with the implant; and    a driving-in mechanism for applying a striking force to the force-transmitting element in order to drive the implant into the bone cover or bone fragment.    
     
     
         26 . A device for securing a self-retaining implant of the type having a support element, an extension extending therefrom, and a spike affixed to the extension to a bone cover or bone fragment, the device comprising: 
 a receiving element for releasably receiving the implant; and    a force-receiving surface coupled in a force-transmitting manner with the receiving element for introducing a driving-in force into the implant, in order to drive the spike of the implant, laterally into the bone cover or into the bone fragment.    
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein the receiving element further comprises a self-locking mechanism for releasably receiving the implant.