Spring cage spinal fixation systems
AssigneeCTL Medical Corporation
InventorNathan Otis Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Spinal fixation apparatus with a first end for selectively flexing to expand in diameter when receiving a head of an engagement member, the engagement member for coupling to a portion of a spine and a flexible sidewall between the first end and a second end, the flexible sidewall to selectively expand in length, between the first end and the second end, when the first end is not in receipt of the head of an engagement member and alternatively to contract in length when the first end is in receipt of the head of the engagement member.
Claims20
A spinal fixation system, comprising:
- a connector body configured to be coupled in a position relative to a spinal fixation rod;
- and
- a cage structure configured to be coupled with the connector body, the cage structure having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall between the first end and the second end, the first end having a first aperture to receive a head of an engagement member, the sidewall having at least one sidewall aperture;
- wherein the at least one sidewall aperture facilitates a first outermost circumference around the first end and a first distance between the first end and the second end, when the cage structure is in a relaxed position with the head of the engagement member disconnected from the cage structure;
- wherein the at least one sidewall aperture facilitates a second outermost circumference around the first end and a second distance between the first end and the second end, when the cage structure is in a compressed position from the head of the engagement member engaging the first end of the cage structure;
- and
- wherein the second outermost circumference is greater than the first outermost circumference;
- and
- wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
Spinal fixation apparatus, comprising:
- a first end for selectively flexing to expand in diameter when receiving a head of an engagement member, the engagement member for coupling to a portion of a spine;
- and
- a flexible sidewall between the first end and a second end, the flexible sidewall to selectively expand in length, between the first end and the second end, when the first end is not in receipt of the head of an engagement member and alternatively to contract in length when the first end is in receipt of the head of the engagement member.
A method of assembling a spinal fixation system, the method comprising:
- providing a connector body, the connector body configured to be coupled in a position relative to a spinal fixation rod;
- providing a cage structure, the cage structure having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall between the first end and the second end, the first end having a first aperture to receive a head of an engagement member, the sidewall having at least one sidewall aperture;
- wherein the cage structure has a first outermost circumference around the first end and a first distance between the first end and the second end, when the cage structure is in a relaxed position with the head of the engagement member disconnected from the cage structure;
- wherein the cage structure has a second outermost circumference around the first end and a second distance between the first end and the second end, when the cage structure is in a compressed position from the head of the engagement member engaging the first end of the cage structure;
- wherein the second outermost circumference is greater than the first outermost circumference;
- wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance;
- and
- coupling the cage structure to the connector body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.