BONE ANCHORING APPARATUS, IN PARTICULAR FOR DENTAL APPLICATIONS

摘要

A bone anchoring assembly (20) and method for attaching a body part to a patient's bone which includes a bone anchor (26) that is implantable in bone having an opening (27) leading to a cavity (29) formed therein. A coupling member (34) with at least one portion made of a shape memory material having a transformation temperature range is used to couple the body part to the bone anchor. The coupling member (24) is movable through the opening (27) and in and out of the cavity (29) at temperatures below the transformation temperature range. With it in the cavity (29) and at temperatures above the transformation temperature range, the coupling member (34) is locked within the bone anchor (26). The coupling member (34) is attachable to the body part. Usable in dental or orthopedical applications.