METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SKELETAL IMPLANTS

摘要

Instrumentation for manufacturing a bone dowel (46) from human or animal cadaveric bone (14) and instrumentation for evaluating the suitability of the bone (14) and/or dowel (46) for implant use after each step of the manufacturing process is provided. Such instrumentation for manufacturing a bone dowel (46) includes a blanking or coring apparatus (10), a milling apparatus (74), a threading apparatus (108) and a tapping apparatus. A gauge (38) is provided to inspect and determine the suitability of the bone dowel (46) at each step of the manufacturing process. By inspecting the dowel being manufactured after each step of the manufacturing process, time and effort which is needlessly wasted during completion of the manufacturing of dowels (46) which are unsuitable for implant use (due to unsuitable bone and/or inaccurate machining of bone) can be avoided. Instrumentation for more accurately positioning bone (14) and the partially manufactured dowel (46) into the instrumentation for machining the dowel (46) is also provided. Such instrumentation includes a gauge (48) for positioning a piece of bone in relation to the apparatus, and mounting blocks (78) for securing the partially manufactured dowel (46) in relation to the milling apparatus (74).