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US 2003/0171751 A1Published application
Pedicle screw connector apparatus and method
OwnerStephen Ritlandinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A low-profile rod connector is disclosed that includes two substantially conical surfaces that allows two rods to be secured together. The device is easily manipulated and occupies very little space. The connector allows for the rods to be oriented at a number of different positions prior to securing the rods in a final orientation. Medical implants utilizing the present invention include surgical implants for spine stabilization. One particular application comprises securing the shaft of a pedicle screw to a spinal rod. In such application, since the connector is relatively small, displacement and disruption to nearby tissue is minimized. The connector also has application to external fixation systems which are conducted exterior of the skin surface, as well as other mechanical devices.
Claims43
A connector for securing together two rods, comprising:
- (a) a body including:
- a first substantially conical surface having a slit;
- opposing joining sections adjacent said slit;
- a first receptacle for receiving a first of said two rods;
- a second receptacle for receiving a second of said two rods;
- a second substantially conical surface operatively associated with said first substantially conical surface;
- (b) means for urging said joining sections toward each other;
- wherein said two rods are interlocked by said connector upon urging said opposing joining sections toward each other.
5 more elements
A connector for securing two rods, comprising:
- (a) a first member including a first receptacle for receiving a first of said two rods, a first substantially conical surface having a slit, and opposing joining sections adjacent said slit;
- (b) a second member including a second receptacle for receiving a second of said two rods, a second substantially conical surface at least partially contacting said first substantially conical surface, said second member connected to said first member;
- (c) means for urging said opposing joining sections together;
- wherein, upon forcing said opposing joining sections in closer proximity, a tension force is created within said first member and said second member securing said two rods to the connector.
1 more element
A connector for securing a rod and a shaft of a pedicle screw, comprising
- (a) a first member including an interior substantially conical surface having a first central opening and a slit with adjacent opposing joining sections, said first member further including a first rod band with a portion of said first rod band at least partially disposed through said first central opening;
- (b) a second member including an exterior substantially conical surface formed for contacting said interior substantially conical surface, said second member including a second central opening and a second rod band at least partially disposed through said second central opening;
- (c) means for interconnecting said first rod band to said second rod band;
- and
- (d) means for forcing said opposing joining sections toward each other;
- wherein the rod is placed through either said first rod band or said second rod band, and the shaft of the pedicle screw is placed through the remaining of either of said first rod band or said second rod band.
3 more elements
A device for securing two rods comprising:
- (a) a first rod receiving member comprising a first rod receiving portion and a first interlocking portion;
- (b) a second rod receiving member comprising a second rod receiving portion and a second interlocking portion adapted for interlocking with said first interlocking portion;
- (c) a first conical surface member comprising an interior substantially conical surface including a first central opening adapted for receiving said first interlocking portion, said interior substantially conical surface further including a slit and opposing joining sections disposed adjacent said slit;
- (d) a second conical surface member comprising an exterior substantially conical surface for contacting said interior substantially conical surface, said second conical surface member further comprising a second central opening for receiving said second interlocking member;
- and
- (e) means for urging said joining sections toward each other;
- wherein a first of said two rods is held within said first rod receiving portion and a second of said two rods is held within said second rod receiving portion, and wherein said means for urging said opposing joining sections toward each other forces a decrease in the diameter of said interior substantially conical surface, which in turn forces said second conical member to move from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position relative to said first conical member, thereby securing said two rods to said first rod receiving member and said second rod receiving member.
4 more elements
An end connector for securing a rod to a pedicle screw, comprising:
- (a) a first member comprising an interior substantially conical surface including a slit with adjacent opposing joining sections adapted for receiving a tightening screw, said first member further including a rod band adapted to receive a shank of the pedicle screw;
- (b) a rod connected to a rod end comprising an exterior substantially conical surface formed for at least partially contacting said interior substantially conical surface, said rod end including means for interconnecting to said first member;
- (c) a tightening screw adapted for advancing said opposing joining sections toward each other;
- wherein upon advancing said tightening screw the pedicle screw is secured to said rod by said rod band.
1 more element
A method of securing a pedicle screw that has been implanted in a patient to a stabilizing rod, said method comprising:
- (a) inserting an exposed shaft of the pedicle screw and the rod into a connector, the connector comprising separate receptacles for receiving the pedicle screw shaft and the rod, the connector further including a first substantially conical surface having a slit and opposing joining sections adjacent to the slit, the connector including a second substantially conical surface at least partially contacting the first substantially conical surface;
- (b) inserting a tightening screw into openings in the opposing joining sections;
- and
- (c) tightening the tightening screw to force the joining sections toward each other;
- wherein said tightening step decreases the diameter of the first substantially conical surface which pushes against the second substantially conical surface and places a constricting force around the pedicle screw shaft and rod through the receptacles.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.