Bone anchoring element

Abstract

A bone anchoring element comprising a shaft (2) for anchoring in a bone, with a plurality of barb elements (7) arranged in at least one helical line around the shaft axis (M) is described, wherein said barb elements are elastically movable relative to the shaft. The bone anchoring element (1) is easy to press into a core hole bore in a bone. The barb elements (7) act in a similar manner as do the threads on a conventional bone screw and thus provide for depth positioning. Moreover, the barb elements at the same time secure the bone anchoring element and prevent it from sliding-out.

1 . A bone anchoring element having a shaft for anchoring in a bone, wherein said shaft comprises a section having a plurality of barb elements that are arranged around a shaft axis. 
     
     
         2 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein the barb elements are elastically deformable relative to a body of the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the barb elements has a free end cutting edge. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein the barb elements, viewed in the direction of the shaft axis, are arranged in at least two axial rows. 
     
     
         6 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein the distances between the barb elements in the axial direction are varied. 
     
     
         7 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the section containing the barb elements is made from a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         8 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 7 , wherein the barb element is made from nitinol. 
     
     
         9 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the section containing the barb elements is made from a body-compatible plastic material. 
     
     
         10 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft and the barb elements are made of one piece of body compatible material. 
     
     
         15 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein the bone anchoring element comprises a head that is rigidly connected to the shaft and is provided to receive a rod. 
     
     
         19 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein the bone anchoring element comprises a head that is connected in a pivoting fashion with a receiver member for receiving a rod. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein the bone anchoring element is a monoaxial bone screw. 
     
     
         22 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein the bone anchoring element is a polyaxial bone screw. 
     
     
         23 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , including a second shaft section adjacent to a section containing the barb elements. 
     
     
         24 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 1 , wherein said shaft and barb elements are made of a body compatible material. 
     
     
         55 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 54 , wherein said body compatible material comprises stainless steel, titanium alloys, nickel-titanium alloys, nitinol, chrome alloy, cobalt chrome alloys, shape memory alloys, materials with super elastic properties, carbon reinforced composites, silicone, polyurethane, polyester, polyether, polyalkene, polyethylene, polyamide, poly(vinyl) fluoride, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         56 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 54 , wherein said body compatible material comprises a bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 54  wherein said body compatible material is coated with a bioactive material. 
     
     
         59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 54 , wherein said body compatible material has a microtexture. 
     
     
         61 . A bone anchoring element according to  claim 54 , wherein said shaft and barb elements are made of different body compatible materials. 
     
     
         62 - 71 . (canceled)