# US 10,765,458 B2 · Coupling devices and methods of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,458 B2 - Document ID: US10765458B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/157,560 - Filed: 2018-10-11 - Published: 2019-04-04 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-15 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Milan George; Katherine Manninen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765458B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7044: {also having plates, staples or washers bearing on the vertebrae} - A61B 17/0642: {for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone} - A61B 17/56: Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor - A61B 17/7001: {Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae (A61B17/7058 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/7002: {Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods} - A61B 17/7041: {with single longitudinal rod offset laterally from single row of screws or hooks (A61B17/7044 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/705: {for linking adjacent ends of longitudinal elements} - A61B 17/7059: {Cortical plates (A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence)} - A61B 17/8033: {having indirect contact with screw heads, or having contact with screw heads maintained with the aid of additional components, e.g. nuts, wedges or head covers} - A61B 17/809: {with bone-penetrating elements, e.g. blades or prongs (bone staples A61B17/0642; intramedullary nails with a plate at an end A61B17/7233)} - A61B 17/88: {Osteosynthesis instruments;} Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal {or external} fixation devices {(A61B17/7074 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract In one embodiment, a medical device includes an elongate member, a first coupler, and a second coupler. The elongate member has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a side portion. The side portion of the elongate member has a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion. The first receiving portion is configured to receive a first support member. The second receiving portion is configured to receive a second support member. The first coupler is coupled to the elongate member and is configured to engage the first support member to help retain the first support member within the first receiving portion. The second coupler is coupled to the elongate member and is configured to engage the second support member to help retain the second support member within the second receiving portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical method comprising: providing a stabilization system, wherein the stabilization system comprises: a bottom member in the form of a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom member including a first opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and a second opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the bottom member includes a slot configured to receive a rod member; one or more protruding members extending from the bottom surface of the bottom member; a set screw received by the bottom member, wherein the set screw is configured to engage a vertebral body; a first bone screw extending through the first opening and a second bone screw extending through the second opening, the first and second bone screws configured to secure the system to a vertebral body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more protruding members are in the form of a prong configured to engage the vertebral body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the prong has a pointed tip configured to engage the vertebral body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the rod member into the stabilization system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the rod member is received in the bottom member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the set screw has a cylindrical body, and the set screw secures the rod member within the system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the set screw is rotated to secure the rod member within the system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 further comprising a top member positioned between the bottom member and the set screw. ### Claim 9 A surgical method comprising: providing a stabilization system, wherein the stabilization system comprises: a bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom member including a first opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and a second opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; a top member engaged with the bottom member; a set screw received by the top member and the bottom member; one or more protruding members extending from the bottom surface of the bottom member; a rod member received in the bottom member; and a first bone screw extending through the first opening and a second bone screw extending through the second opening, the first and second bone screws configured to secure the system to a vertebral body,. wherein the top member is rotatably attached to the bottom member such that when the top member is in a first position, the rod member can be received in the bottom member and when the top member is in a second position, the rod member is secured to the bottom member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more protruding members are in the form of a prong configured to engage the vertebral body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the prong has a pointed tip configured to engage the vertebral body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more protruding members include a first prong extending from a first portion of the bottom surface of the bottom member and a second prong extending from a second portion of the bottom surface of the bottom member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the bottom member includes a slot configured to receive the rod member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the set screw has a cylindrical body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the set screw is rotated to secure the position of the top member with respect to the bottom member. ### Claim 16 A surgical method comprising: providing a stabilization system, wherein the stabilization system comprises: a bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom member including a first opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and a second opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; a top member engaged with the bottom member; one or more protruding members extending from the bottom surface of the bottom member; one or more rod members received in the bottom member; a first bone screw extending through the first opening and a second bone screw extending through the second opening, the first and second bone screws configured to secure the system to a vertebral body; and a set screw having a cylindrical body, wherein the set screw is rotated to secure the one or more rod members within the bottom member, wherein the set screw has a lower portion having a distal tip that extends beyond the bottom surface of the bottom member and is capable of engaging the vertebral body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more protruding members are in the form of a prong configured to engage the vertebral body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the prong has a pointed tip configured to engage the vertebral body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more protruding members include a first prong extending from a first portion of the bottom surface of the bottom member and a second prong extending from a second portion of the bottom surface of the bottom member.