# US 4,397,307 A · Cranial extension holder > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,397,307 A - Document ID: US4397307A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/181,380 - Filed: 1980-08-22 - Granted: 1983-08-09 - Earliest claimed: 1979-09-13 - Assignees: Waldemar Link GmbH & Co. KG - Inventors: Arnold Keller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397307A ## CPC - A61F 5/055: Cervical collars - A61B 17/6408: {Devices not permitting mobility, e.g. fixed to bed, with or without means for traction or reduction (without surgery A61F5/04)} - A61B 17/6433: {specially adapted for use on body parts other than limbs, e.g. trunk or head} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The pins of a cranial extension holder engage indirectly in bitemporal cranial bores by means of plastic sleeves which cover the wound with a flange and, due to the conicity or splayability of the pin, make clean contact with the surface of the bore. Relative movements between the sleeves and the bores are prevented since the pin is rotatable relative to the bracket. The pins are adjustable in their longitudinal direction in the bracket which is constructed without joints. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In a cranial extension holder for insertion within opposed bitemporal cranial bores and having a generally U-shaped bracket with outer ends to be positioned on opposite sides of the cranimum, connector means mounted on the bracket for connecting the bracket for traction, a single pair of opposed insertion pins having inner ends for insertion within opposed bitemporal cranial bores, and pin mounting means mounting the insertion pins on the outer ends of the bracket in opposed alignment for insertion of the inner ends thereof into opposed bitemporal cranial bores, the improvement wherein the pin mounting means comprises bearing means for mounting the pair of opposed insertion pins on the bracket in opposed coaxial alignment on a fixed common axis for being freely rotatable about said common axis relative to the bracket without axial displacement of the pins relative to the bracket to permit angular displacement of the bracket about said common axis without angular or axial displacement of the insertion pins within the bitemporal cranial bores. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cranial extension holder according to claim 1 wherein the inner end of each insertion pin is conical. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A cranial extension holder according to claim 1 wherein the inner end of each insertion pin is generally conical to secure the inner end within a bitemporal cranial bore. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A cranial extension holder according to claim 1 wherein the inner end of each insertion pin has a cross-sectional shape which is non-circular to secure said inner end against rotation within a bitemporal cranial bore. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A cranial extension holder according to claim 1 wherein the bracket is a jointless, rigid structure and wherein the bracket connector means comprises a connector link having a universal joint connection with the bracket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A cranial extension holder according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting sleeve for each insertion pin, having a projection portion, for insertion into a cranial bore, with an outer bore, closed at its inner end, for receiving the inner end of the insertion pin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A cranial extension holder according to claim 6, wherein the mounting sleeve has an outer peripheral flange surrounding said projection portion for covering the wound of the bitemporal cranial bore. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6, 7) A cranial extension holder according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the sleeve is constructed of an elastomeric material. ### Claim 9 In a cranial extension holder for insertion within opposed bitemporal cranial bores and having a generally U-shaped bracket with outer ends to be positioned on opposite sides of the cranium, connector means mounted on the bracket for connecting the bracket for traction, a pair of insertion pins mounted on the outer ends of the bracket and having inner ends for insertion within bitemporal cranial bores, and a mounting sleeve for each insertion pin, having a projection portion for insertion into a cranial bore, with an outer bore, closed at its inner end, for receiving the inner end of the insertion pin, and an outer peripheral flange surrounding said projection portion for covering the wound of the bitemporal cranial bore, the improvement wherein the inner end of each insertion pin has a cross-sectional shape which is non-circular to secure the inner end against rotation within the mounting sleeve. ### Claim 10 In a cranial extension holder for insertion within opposed bitemporal cranial bores and having a generally U-shaped bracket with outer ends to be positioned on opposite sides of the cranimum, connector means mounted on the bracket for connecting the bracket for traction, a pair of insertion pins having inner ends for insertion within opposed bitemporal cranial bores, and pin mounting means mounting the insertion pins on the outer ends of the bracket in opposed alignment for insertion of the inner ends thereof into opposed bitemporal cranial bores, the improvement wherein the pin mounting means comprises bearing means for mounting the insertion pins for being freely rotatable about a common axis relative to the bracket without axial displacement relative to the bracket to permit angular displacement of the bracket about said common axis without angular or axial displacement of the insertion pins within the bitemporal cranial bores, and a mounting sleeve for each insertion pin, having a projection portion, for insertion into a cranial bore, with an outer bore, closed at its inner end, for receiving the inner end of the insertion pin, the inner end of each insertion pin being generally concial to splay the sleeve outwardly, upon insertion of the inner conical end of the pin therein, to secure the sleeve and inner end of the insertion pin within a bitemporal cranial bore. ### Claim 11 In a cranial extension holder for insertion within opposed bitemporal cranial bores and having a generally U-shaped bracket with outer ends to be positioned on opposite sides of the cranimum, connector means mounted on the bracket for connecting the bracket for traction, a pair of insertion pins having inner ends for insertion within opposed bitemporal cranial bores, and pin mounting means mounting the insertion pins on the outer ends of the bracket in opposed alignment for insertion of the inner ends thereof into opposed bitemporal cranial bores, the improvement wherein the pin mounting means comprises bearing means for mounting the insertion pins for being freely rotatable about a common axis relative to the bracket without axial displacement relative to the bracket to permit angular displacement of the bracket about said common axis without angular or axial displacement of the insertion pins within the bitemporal cranial bores, and a mounting sleeve for each insertion pin, having a projection portion, for insertion into a cranial bore, with an outer bore, closed at its inner end, for receiving the inner end of the insertion pin, the mounting sleeve having an outer peripheral flange surrounding said projection portion for covering the wound of the bitemporal cranial bore, and the inner end of each insertion pin being generally conical to splay the sleeve outwardly, upon insertion of the inner conical end of the pin therein, to secure the sleeve and inner end of the insertion pin within a bitemporal cranial bore.