Patents Assigned to Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6440136
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for attaching to bone comprises a one-piece, homogeneous screw (12) engageable by a driver for driving the screw into bone. The screw (12) has a shaft portion (20) and a head portion (40) extending from the shaft portion. The shaft portion (20) has an outer surface (26) with a thread convolution (28). The head portion (40) includes oppositely disposed first and second axial ends (42 and 44) and a peripheral surface (50) extending between the ends. The first axial end (42) adjoins the shaft portion (20). The second axial end (44) includes an end surface (46). The head portion (40) has a plurality of slots (60) extending axially from the end surface (46) to the first axial end (42). The slots (60) further extend through the peripheral surface (50) of the head portion (40) and radially inward from the peripheral surface of the head portion. In accordance with another feature, the apparatus (10) further comprises a screwdriver (14) for driving the screw (12) into bone (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Gambale, James M. Kuras, Charles Fredrick Birchall, Jr.