Articulating rod assembly
AssigneeRefai Technologies, L.L.C.
InventorsDaniel Refai, Tyler Haskins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An articulating assembly includes a first elongated element for attachment to a first anatomical region, and a second elongated element for attachment to a second anatomical region. In at least one embodiment, a coupling connects the first and second elongated elements. The coupling includes a moveable joint configured to allow polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element. The assembly further includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable in an unlocked condition to permit polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element, and a locked condition to immobilize the movable joint and fix the position of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element.
Claims17
An adjustable articulating rod assembly for implantation in a human or animal, the assembly comprising:
- a first elongated element for attachment to a first anatomical region;
- a second elongated element for attachment to a second anatomical region;
- and
- a coupling connecting the first elongated element with the second elongated element, the coupling comprising:
- a moveable joint configured to allow polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element, wherein the moveable joint comprises:
- an articulating end at an end of the first elongated element;
- and
- a receptacle at an end of the second elongated element, wherein the articulating end mates with the receptacle, and wherein the receptacle and the second elongated element are monolithic;
- and
- wherein the receptacle further comprises:
- an opening extending into a socket, the opening comprises an edge that tapers from the socket to an exterior surface of the receptacle, wherein the opening has a first diameter at an interior surface of the opening, wherein the opening has a second diameter at the exterior surface of the opening, and wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter;
- and
- a locking mechanism operable in an unlocked condition to permit polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element, and a locked condition to immobilize the moveable joint and fix the position of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element.
An adjustable articulating rod assembly, the assembly comprising:
- a first elongated element for attachment to a first anatomical region;
- a second elongated element for attachment to a second anatomical region;
- and
- a coupling connecting the first elongated element with the second elongated element, the coupling comprising:
- a moveable joint configured to allow polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element, wherein the moveable joint comprises:
- a coupling end at an end of the first elongated element;
- and
- a receptacle at an end of the second elongated element, wherein the coupling end engages a socket in the receptacle;
- and
- wherein the receptacle further comprises:
- an opening extending into the socket, the opening comprises an angled edge that is proximate the socket and proximate an exterior surface of the receptacle, wherein the angled edge tapers outwardly from an interior surface of the receptacle to an exterior surface of the receptacle, and wherein the opening has a first diameter at the interior surface, wherein the opening has a second diameter at the exterior surface, and wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter, wherein the receptacle and the second elongated element are monolithic.
An articulating fixation system, comprising:
- an adjustable articulating rod assembly comprising:
- a first elongated element;
- a second elongated element;
- and
- a coupling connecting the first elongated element and the second elongated element, the coupling comprising:
- a moveable joint configured to allow polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element, wherein the moveable joint comprises:
- a coupling end at an end of the first elongated element;
- and
- a receptacle at a first end of the second elongated element, wherein the entire coupling end is received within a socket in the receptacle, and wherein the receptacle and the second elongated element are of a one-piece construction, wherein the receptacle comprises:
- an opening extending into the socket, the opening comprises an edge that tapers outwardly from the socket to an exterior surface of the receptacle, wherein the opening has a first diameter at the socket, wherein the opening has a second diameter at the exterior surface, and wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter;
- a plate coupled to a second end of the second elongated element;
- and
- at least one fastener coupled to the first elongated element distal to the coupling end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.