Variable tension spine fixation rod
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorJoseph Capozzoli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A variable stiffness rod is provided for use in spine stabilization systems. The variable stiffness rod system includes an outer member having a cannulation that retains a flexible tensioning inner member that can be used to adjust the stiffness of the rod via an adjustable end cap assembly that couples the inner member to the outer member at least at one end of the fixation rod.
Claims24
A variable stiffness rod configured to span between two or more adjacent vertebral fixation elements, each vertebral fixation element including a channel formed therein configured to receive the variable stiffness rod, the variable stiffness rod comprising:
- an outer member having a first end and an opposing second end, the outer member defining an interior cannulation extending between the first and second ends;
- an inner tensioning member configured to be disposed in the cannulation of the outer member, the inner tensioning member having a first stiffness;
- and
- an adjustable end cap assembly disposed at least at one of the first and second ends, the adjustable end cap assembly configured to couple the inner tensioning member to the outer member, the adjustable end cap assembly including a translator coupled to the inner tensioning member, and an actuator configured to move in a first direction that drives the translator to extend the inner tensioning member, such that the inner tensioning member achieves a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness.
A kit comprising a plurality of variable stiffness rods, each variable stiffness rod configured to span between two or more adjacent vertebral fixation elements, each vertebral fixation element including a channel formed therein configured to receive the variable stiffness rod, each variable stiffness rod comprising:
- an outer member having a first end and an opposing second end, the outer member defining an interior cannulation extending between the first and second ends;
- an inner tensioning member configured to be disposed in the cannulation of the outer member, the inner tensioning member having a first stiffness;
- and
- an adjustable end cap assembly disposed at least at one of the first and second ends, the adjustable end cap assembly configured to couple the inner tensioning member to the outer member, the adjustable end cap assembly including a translator coupled to the inner tensioning member, and an actuator configured to move in a first direction that drives the translator to extend the inner tensioning member, such that the inner tensioning member achieves a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness,
- wherein at least one of the variable stiffness rods has a different curvature with respect to one of the other variable stiffness rods.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.