Surgical cross connector
AssigneeBlackstone Medical, Inc.
InventorMichael Hammer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Example embodiments relate generally to an apparatus operable to couple a pair of implantation rods that are surgically implanted adjacent to a plurality of vertebrae. Each implantation rod is secured by at least one fastener element having a head. The apparatus comprises at least one main assembly, said main assembly operable to move relative to a head of one of the fastener elements when not in a locked position. The apparatus also comprises a center link extending in an axial direction, said center link operable to move relative to the main assembly when not in a locked position. The main assembly is operable to receive the center link and a head of one of the fastener elements and secure the center link and the head relative to the main assembly when in a locked position.
Claims25
An apparatus operable to couple a pair of implantation rods, wherein each implantation rod is secured by at least two fastener elements having a head, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one main assembly, said main assembly operable to move relative to a head of one of the fastener elements when not in a locked position;
- and
- a center link extending in an axial direction, said center link operable to move relative to the main assembly when not in a locked position;
- wherein the main assembly is operable to receive the center link and a head of one of the fastener elements;
- and
- wherein the main assembly is operable to secure the center link and the head relative to the main assembly when in a locked position.
An apparatus operable to fixably couple a pair of implantation rods, wherein each implantation rod is secured by at least two fastener elements, said apparatus comprising:
- a center link extending in an axial direction;
- two or more main assemblies, wherein each main assembly is operable to receive the center link and a head of one of the fastener elements when not in a locked position, each main assembly comprising:
- a main body;
- a center link clamp having an adjustable bore and housed within the main body;
- an outer sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the main body;
- an anchor clamp having an adjustable portion and proximate to the main body and the outer sleeve;
- and
- an adjustment member operable in cooperation with the main body to adjust the adjustable bore and the adjustable portion;
- wherein the center link is received in the adjustable bore of the center link clamp;
- wherein the head is received in the adjustable portion of the anchor clamp;
- wherein the center link and the head are securable relative to the main body when the adjustment member is actuated into a locked position;
- and
- wherein the center link is movable relative to the main body and the adjustable portion is movable relative to each main body when the adjustment member is actuated from the locked position.
An apparatus operable to couple an implantation rod to a center link, wherein the implantation rod is secured by at least two fastener elements having a head, said apparatus comprising:
- a main body;
- a center link clamp having an adjustable bore and housed within the main body;
- an outer sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the main body;
- an anchor clamp having an adjustable portion and proximate to the main body and the outer sleeve;
- and
- an adjustment member operable in cooperation with the main body to adjust the adjustable bore and the adjustable portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.