Locking coupler device for spine alignment
AssigneeGlobus Medical, Inc.
InventorKurt Faulhaber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments are directed to an apparatus for aligning vertebrae of a curved spine that may include a coupler having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises first threads, wherein the distal end comprises a mating surface for disposition around a rod attached to a spinal column, and wherein the coupler applies a compressive clamping force to the rod. The apparatus further may include a nut having second threads corresponding to the first threads, wherein the nut is attachable to the coupler proximal end. The apparatus further may include a driver disposable at least partially around the coupler, wherein the driver applies a clamping force to the coupler, and wherein the nut applies a linear force to the driver when tightened.
Claims14
A method for aligning vertebrae of a curved spine, comprising:
- coupling a first locking coupler of a first locking coupler assembly onto a rod such that the first locking coupler slides along the rod, wherein the rod is attached to a spinal column by way of bone fasteners which have been inserted along the spinal column;
- tightening and locking a second locking coupler assembly onto the rod;
- and
- forcing the coupled first locking coupler assembly to slide along the rod away from the locked second locking coupler assembly to cause one of the inserted bone fasteners to slide along the rod until the coupled first locking coupler assembly is at a desired position;
- when the coupled first locking coupler assembly is at the desired position, locking the rod to the one inserted bone fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.