# US 10,478,231 B2 · Spinal implant system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,231 B2 - Document ID: US10478231B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/850,980 - Filed: 2017-12-21 - Published: 2018-05-17 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-24 - Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Applicants: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc - Inventors: Joshua W. Simpson; Gary S. Lindemann; Jason M. May; Maria-Rosa Padilla - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478231B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7053: {with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A spinal implant comprises a body including an inner surface that defines a cavity configured for disposal of a member. A locking element is engageable with the member within the cavity to fix the member with the body. The body further includes a wall that defines a bay configured for disposal of a longitudinal element being engageable with the wall to fix the longitudinal element with the body independent of the member. Systems and methods are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spinal implant comprising: a body including opposite first and second surfaces and opposite top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces extending from the first surface to the second surface, the body including an inner surface that defines a passageway that extends through the top and bottom surfaces, the body further including a bay that extends into the first surface; and a locking element comprising a screw and a fixation element, the screw being positioned within the passageway and including a non-threaded proximal portion and a threaded shank extending from the proximal portion, the proximal portion having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the shank, the shank defining a longitudinal axis, the fixation element being coupled directly to the proximal portion such that the fixation element is translatable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the fixation element is coupled to the screw by a pin. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the bay is positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the body includes a channel that extends through the top and bottom surfaces, the channel comprising a first portion that is in communication with the passageway and a second section that is spaced apart from the passageway by a wall that defines a threaded portion of the inner surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A spinal implant as recited in claim 4, wherein the threaded shank directly engages the threaded portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A spinal implant as recited in claim 4, wherein the body includes a second inner surface that defines a portion of the channel, the second inner surface including a portion that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and is configured for engagement with the fixation element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the body includes an opening that extends through the top surface, the opening being in communication with the bay. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A spinal implant as recited in claim 7, wherein the opening extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A spinal implant as recited in claim 7, wherein the opening is threaded. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is permanently fixed relative to the top surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner surface further defines a slot having a proximal end and a distal end, the fixation element being engageable with the inner surface adjacent to the ends to define a range of translation of the locking element within the cavity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A spinal implant as recited in claim 11, wherein the fixation element includes an outer flange that is engageable with the inner surface adjacent to the ends. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the fixation element surrounds a portion of the shank. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal portion defines a socket configured for disposal of a bit of a driver. ### Claim 15 A spinal implant comprising: a body including opposite first and second surfaces and opposite top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces extending from the first surface to the second surface, the bottom surface being permanently fixed relative to the top surface, the body including an inner surface that defines a passageway that extends through the top and bottom surfaces, the body further including a bay that extends into the first surface, the bay being spaced apart from the passageway by the inner surface; and a locking element comprising a screw and a fixation element, the screw being positioned within the passageway and including a non-threaded proximal portion and a threaded shank extending from the proximal portion, the proximal portion having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the shank, the shank defining a longitudinal axis, the shank comprising a thread that directly engages a threaded portion of the inner surface, the fixation element being coupled directly to the proximal portion such that the fixation element is translatable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A spinal implant as recited in claim 15, wherein the body includes a channel that extends through the top and bottom surfaces, the channel comprising a first portion that is in communication with the passageway and a second section that is spaced apart from the passageway by a wall that defines a threaded portion of the inner surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A spinal implant as recited in claim 16, wherein the body includes a second inner surface that defines a portion of the channel, the second inner surface including a portion that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and is configured for engagement with the fixation element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A spinal implant as recited in claim 15, wherein the body includes an opening that extends through the top surface, the opening being in communication with the bay. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A spinal implant as recited in claim 18, wherein the opening is threaded and extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 20 A spinal implant comprising: a body including opposite first and second surfaces and opposite top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces extending from the first surface to the second surface, the bottom surface being permanently fixed relative to the top surface, the body including an inner surface that defines a passageway that extends through the top and bottom surfaces, the body further including a bay that extends into the first surface, the bay being spaced apart from the passageway by the inner surface, the body including a channel that extends through the top and bottom surfaces, the channel comprising a first portion that is in communication with the passageway and a second section that is spaced apart from the passageway by a wall that defines a threaded portion of the inner surface; and a locking element comprising a screw and a fixation element, the screw being positioned within the passageway and including a non-threaded proximal portion and a threaded shank extending from the proximal portion, the proximal portion having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the shank, the shank defining a longitudinal axis, the shank comprising a thread that directly engages a threaded portion of the inner surface, the fixation element being coupled directly to the proximal portion such that the fixation element is translatable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis, wherein the body includes a second inner surface that defines a portion of the channel, the second inner surface including a portion that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and is configured for engagement with the fixation element, and wherein the body includes an opening that extends through the top surface, the opening being in communication with the bay, the opening being threaded and extending transverse to the longitudinal axis.