Flexible bone fastener and methods of use
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsNewton H. Metcalf, JR., Gregory C. Marik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bone fastener includes an elongated first section having a distal end. A flexible member has an outer surface and defines an inner cavity configured for disposal of the distal end of the first section. An elongated second section defines a longitudinal axis and includes a wall that defines an interior cavity configured for disposal of the flexible member such that the distal end of the first section is disposed within the interior cavity of the second section. The outer surface of the flexible member engages the wall in a configuration such that the first section is pivotable to a plurality of axial orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the second section.
Claims20
A bone fastener comprising:
- an elongated first section having a distal end;
- a flexible member having an outer surface and defining an inner cavity configured for disposal of the distal end of the first section;
- and
- an elongated second section defining a longitudinal axis and including a wall that defines an interior cavity configured for disposal of the flexible member such that the distal end of the first section is disposed within the interior cavity of the second section, the outer surface of the flexible member engaging the wall in a configuration such that the first section is pivotable to a plurality of axial orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the second section.
A bone fastener comprising:
- a shank having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end;
- a flexible member having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner cavity having a closed distal end, the inner cavity being configured for disposal of the distal end of the shank and the inner surface engaging the outer surface of the shank adjacent the distal end;
- and
- a penetrating member defining a longitudinal axis and including a circumferential wall that defines an interior cavity configured for disposal of the flexible member such that the distal end of the shank is disposed within the interior cavity of the penetrating member, the outer surface of the flexible member engaging the wall such that the flexible member is configured to provide damping.
A vertebral construct comprising:
- at least two bone fasteners, each bone fastener comprising:
- a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end defining a cavity;
- a flexible member having an outer surface and defining an inner cavity configured for disposal of the distal end of the shaft, and
- a penetrating member defining a longitudinal axis and including a wall that defines an interior cavity configured for disposal of the flexible member such that the distal end of the shaft is disposed within the interior cavity of the penetrating member, the outer surface of the flexible member engaging the wall in a configuration such that the shaft is pivotable to a plurality of axial orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the penetrating member;
- and
- at least one vertebral rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being supported with the cavity of the proximal end of a first bone fastener and the second end being supported with the cavity of the proximal end of a second bone fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.