Orthopedic revision connector
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsWilliam B. Null, Marc T. Paul, Michael C. Sherman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector apparatus for use in orthopedic procedures includes a base portion and an extending leg portion that forms a channel. Part of the base portion can be placed atop or adjacent implanted fixation members (e.g. bone screws), and a locking member can be inserted through the base and into the fixation member to anchor the connector to the fixation member. A rod can be inserted into the channel and fixed to the connector by a set screw. The apparatus is useful in connecting a rod to a fixation member, particularly in situations in which a rod is already connected to the fixation member, as by a previous implantation procedure, for example.
Claims22
A connector apparatus for connecting a head of a bone fixation member to a rod, comprising:
- a unitary body having a substantially planar base with a first end and a second end and an L-shaped leg offset from said base, said leg and said base forming a channel for an orthopedic rod, said first end of said base having a threaded first hole facing part of said leg, said second end of said base having a second hole, said holes having respective longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel, wherein said second end of said base is sized and configured to substantially cover the head of a bone fixation member;
- a set screw threaded in said first hole;
- a locking member inserted in said second hole, wherein said locking member can be inserted in the head of the bone fixation member to lock said locking member and said apparatus to the bone fixation member.
An orthopedic apparatus comprising:
- an implanted spinal support structure including at least one fixation member having a head with a channel and an opening transverse to said channel, said structure also including a first rod in said channel and fixed to said head;
- a connector connected to said head, said connector having a base with a first end and a second end and an L-shaped leg offset from said base, said leg and said base forming a channel for an orthopedic rod, said first end of said base having a threaded first hole facing part of said leg, said second end of said base having a second hole, said holes having respective longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel, said second end of said base substantially covering said so that said second hole at least partially communicates with said opening of said head;
- and
- a second rod fixed to said connector in said connector channel.
A method of revising a previously-implanted spinal implant apparatus, comprising:
- accessing the previously-implanted spinal implant apparatus, said apparatus having a first rod fixed to the heads of at least two fixation members;
- connecting a first connector to a first of said fixation member heads and a second connector to a second of said fixation member heads, each of said connectors having a base with a first end and a second end and an L-shaped leg offset from said base, said leg and said base forming a channel for a second rod, said first end of said base having a threaded first hole facing part of said leg, said second end of said base having a second hole;
- placing a revision rod in said channels of said connectors;
- locking said second rod to said connectors.
A method of implanting spinal implant apparatus, comprising:
- implanting a first fixation member, said fixation member having a head with a substantially U-shaped channel and an opening transverse to said channel;
- inserting a first rod in said channel;
- locking said first rod in said channel;
- connecting a first connector to said first fixation member head, said connector having a base with a first end and a second end and an L-shaped leg offset from said base, said leg and said base forming a channel for a second rod, said first end of said base having a threaded first hole facing part of said leg, said second end of said base having a second hole;
- placing a second rod in said channel of said connector;
- locking said second rod to said connectors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.