# US 2007/0191839 A1 · Non-locking multi-axial joints in a vertebral implant and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2007/0191839 A1 - Document ID: US20070191839A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/341,239 - Filed: 2006-01-27 - Published: 2007-08-16 - Earliest claimed: 2006-01-27 - Assignees: SDGI Holdings, Inc. - Inventors: Jeff Justis; Fred Molz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20070191839A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/7038: {to a different extent in different directions, e.g. within one plane only} - A61B 17/7035: {Screws or hooks, wherein a rod-clamping part and a bone-anchoring part can pivot relative to each other} - A61B 17/7037: {wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped} - A61B 17/7011: {Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched (adjustable length longitudinal elements A61B17/7014; A61B17/7019 takes precedence, e.g. coil springs)} - A61B 17/7032: {Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass} - A61B 17/7055: {connected to sacrum, pelvis or skull} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A connector pivotally connects an anchor to a longitudinal member in a spinal implant. The connector body may include an oppositely disposed channel and cavity that are aligned on a common axis of the body, but isolated from each other. The channel receives the longitudinal member and the cavity receives the anchor. The anchor may include a shaft and an enlarged head that fits within the cavity. The cavity may include a narrow opening that is sized to retain the head within the cavity. The head may pivot within a wear member. The anchor may freely pivot within the cavity when a fastener mates with the receiver to maintain the longitudinal member within the channel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector to connect a vertebral member to a longitudinal member, the connector comprising: an anchor comprising a shaft and an enlarged head; a body attached to the anchor and comprising a receiver and a cavity that are aligned along a common axis, the receiver comprising a channel sized to receive the longitudinal member; and a fastener configured to mate with the receiver to maintain the longitudinal member in the channel, a force applied by the fastener to maintain the longitudinal rod within the channel being isolated from the anchor; and the cavity positioned on an opposite side of the body from the receiver and the cavity comprising a narrow opening that extends into an enlarged receiving area, the receiving area being isolated from the channel and sized to pivotally accommodate the head of the anchor with the narrow opening sized to retain the head within the receiving area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the anchor is movably positioned within the body to pivot about the common axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an intermediate section positioned between the channel and the receiving area, the intermediate section and the body being constructed from a single member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connector of claim 3, wherein the intermediate section has a thickness to space apart the channel and the receiving area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the receiving area further comprises a wear member that contacts the head of the anchor, the wear member being constructed of a different material from the body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The connector of claim 5, wherein the wear member has an outer surface that contacts the body and an inner surface that contacts the head of the anchor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The connector of claim 5, wherein the wear member has an outer surface that is constructed of a wear resistant coating. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein a top section of the receiving area has a rounded configuration to conform with the head of the anchor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the head of the anchor is constructed with a wear resistant coating. ### Claim 10 A connector to connect a vertebral member to a longitudinal member, the connector comprising: an anchor comprising a shaft and an enlarged head; a body attached to the anchor and comprising a channel and a cavity aligned along a common axis, the channel sized to receive the longitudinal member; a fastener configured to maintain the longitudinal member in the channel, a force applied by the fastener to maintain the longitudinal member within the channel being isolated from the anchor; and a wear member positioned within the cavity and constructed from a material different from the body, the wear member forming a receiving area sized to pivotally accommodate the head of the anchor; the cavity comprising a narrow opening to retain the head within the receiving area and the receiving area positioned for the anchor to pivot when the fastener maintains the longitudinal member in the channel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein the head contacts the wear member when the anchor pivots within the body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein the wear member is a coating applied to an inner surface of the cavity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein the wear member comprises a first surface that contacts an inner surface of the cavity, and a second surface that contacts the head of the anchor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein an adhesive attaches the wear member to an inner surface of the cavity. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein the wear member has a width that is greater than the narrow opening to maintain the wear member within the cavity. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein the anchor is movably positioned within the wear member to pivot about the common axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein the body further comprises an intermediate section positioned between the channel and the cavity, the intermediate section and the body being constructed from a single member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein a top section of the cavity comprises a stop to prevent the wear member from pivoting within the cavity during movement of the anchor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein the head of the anchor is constructed with a wear resistant coating. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The connector of claim 10, wherein the wear member is constructed with a wear resistant coating. ### Claim 21 A connector to connect a vertebral member to a longitudinal member, the connector comprising: an anchor comprising a shaft and an enlarged head; a body attached to the anchor and being constructed from a single member having a receiver, a cavity, and an intermediate section, the receiver comprising a channel sized to receive the longitudinal member; and a fastener configured to mate with the receiver to maintain the longitudinal member in the channel; the cavity and channel being aligned on a common axis and positioned on opposite sides of the intermediate section, the cavity comprising a narrow opening that extends into an enlarged receiving area, the receiving area being isolated from the channel and sized to accommodate the head of the anchor, and the narrow opening being sized to retain the head within the receiving area; the receiving area being isolated from the channel and sized to allow the anchor to freely pivot when the fastener mates with the receiver. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The connector of claim 21, wherein the intermediate section is substantially perpendicular to the common axis. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The connector of claim 21, further comprising a wear member positioned within the receiving area to contact the head of the anchor, the wear member constructed of a different material than the body. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The connector of claim 23, wherein the different material comprises a wear resistant coating. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The connector of claim 21, wherein the anchor is movably positioned within the body to pivot about the common axis. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The connector of claim 21, wherein a top section of the receiving area has a rounded configuration to conform with the head of the anchor. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The connector of claim 21, wherein the head of the anchor is constructed with a wear resistant coating.