Cross-braced bilateral spinal rod connector
AssigneeBlackstone Medical, Inc.
InventorsNelson Li, Francesco Larosa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spinal rod connector apparatus for use with spinal implantation rods and methods of securing implantation rods using a cross-braced bilateral spinal rod connector apparatus. The spinal rod connector apparatus comprises a central member having two or more extension legs. The extension legs can be of varying lengths and disposed at varying angles with respect to the monolithic central member, depending upon physiological sizing requirements. Attached to each extension leg is a connecting member capable of connecting to a bilateral spinal rod construct.
Claims12
A bilateral spinal rod connector apparatus, comprising:
- a central member comprising two or more extension legs;
- the extension legs comprising one or more connecting members capable of connecting to a bilateral spinal rod construct;
- wherein, each connecting member is translatable along and rotatable about a corresponding extension leg.
A method of cross-connecting a pair of bi-lateral spinal rods on opposite lateral sides of a vertebral column, the method comprising:
- providing a bilateral spinal rod connector apparatus comprising a central member, two or more extension legs, and two or more connecting members corresponding to each of the extension legs, wherein the connector apparatus is operable to connect
- translating each of the connecting members along the longitudinal axis of a corresponding extension leg, through a connection aperture in the connecting members;
- inserting a spinal rod into a slot in each of the connecting members;
- and
- driving a set screw in each the connecting members to lock the connector apparatus to the corresponding spinal rod.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.