Apparatus and method for spinal fixation system
AssigneeAlphatec Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorMark G. Urbanski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vertically adjustable, self-centering spine screw including a bone screw with an beveled head. A series of lateral grooves are disposed on the bone screw head that mesh with similar grooves on an adapter. The second side of the adapter has radial splines that mesh with similar radial grooves on a spacer. This configuration gives the surgeon a self-centering bone screw with adjustment in both the lateral and angular directions.
Claims10
A bone screw assembly for a spinal fixation apparatus comprising:
- a bone screw having a "U" shaped beveled head and a threaded tail, wherein the beveled head of said bone screw has lateral grooves on one face;
- an adapter having lateral channels on a first face and radial grooves on a second face, wherein said first face is beveled to mesh with the beveled head of said bone screw;
- and
- a spacer having radial grooves on a first side, wherein said radial grooves mesh with the radial grooves on said second face of said adapter.
A method of installing a spinal fixation device into a patient comprising:
- attaching a bone screw having a beveled head to the spine of said patient, said beveled head also having lateral grooves on a first face;
- mounting said bone screw to a retaining rod, wherein said mounting includes the steps of
- a) contacting the lateral grooves on the first face of said bone screw head with matching lateral grooves on a first side an of adapter, and
- b) contacting radial splines on a second side of said adapter to matching splines on a spacer;
- and
- connecting said beveled bone screw, adapter and spacer to said retaining rod with an eyebolt and nut wherein tightening said nut causes said bone screw to center itself with respect to said adapter.
A spinal fixation system including a plurality of rods, hooks and eyebolts comprising:
- a bone screw having a "U" shaped beveled head and a threaded tail, wherein the beveled head of said bone screw has lateral grooves on one face;
- an adapter having lateral channels on a first face and radial grooves on a second face, wherein said first face is beveled to mesh with the beveled head of said bone screw;
- and
- a spacer having radial grooves on a first side, wherein said radial grooves mesh with the radial grooves on said second face of said adapter and wherein said spacer is mounted to said rod by an eyebolt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.