Spinal column retaining method and apparatus

An apparatus for use internally in a human body in retaining spinal elements in a desired spatial relationship in a spinal column, said apparatus comprising:

• an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and a first end portion extending along the longitudinal axis for receipt in an opening in a spinal element and a second threaded end portion for threadedly receiving a nut, said second threaded end portion being fixedly connected to said first end portion and coaxial with said first end portion;
• a longitudinal member which is positionable along the spinal column laterally from a line containing the longitudinal axis of said elongate member;
• connector means for connecting said elongate member and said longitudinal member, said connector means having a portion with a first opening therethrough, said first opening having a length greater than its width and the length of said first opening extending transverse to said longitudinal member when said connector means connects said elongate member and said longitudinal member, said second end portion of said elongate member extending along said longitudinal axis and being extensible through said first opening and being of a dimension less than the length of said first opening enabling adjustment of said connector means relative to said elongate member;
• said portion with said first opening therethrough having surface portions on opposite sides of said first opening for receiving a clamping force of said nut threaded onto said second threaded end portion;
• means defining a second opening through said connector means through which said longitudinal member extends, said second opening extending transverse to said length of said first opening;
• and
• means for securing said longitudinal member in said second opening.

An apparatus for use internally in a human body in retaining spinal elements in a desired spatial relationship comprising:

• a fastener having a first end for receipt in an opening in a spinal element;
• a rod having a smooth outer periphery positionable along the spinal column;
• a connector member extendable from said fastener to said rod, said connector member being engageable with said fastener and said rod, said connector member having an oblong opening therethrough for enabling adjustment of the distance between said rod and a line containing a longitudinal axis of said fastener;
• a mounting clamp clamping said connector member and said fastener;
• a rod clamp clamping said rod and said connector member;
• and
• said mounting clamp being associated with said oblong opening for enabling relative adjustment of said rod and fastener;
• said fastener having a second end coaxial with said first end and extending through said oblong opening, said second end being threaded and said mounting clamp comprising said second end of said fastener and a nut threadably engageable with said second end of said fastener.

An apparatus for use internally in a human body in retaining spinal elements of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship, said apparatus comprising;

• a fastener engageable with a spinal element;
• a longitudinal rod having a smooth cylindrical outer periphery positionable along the spinal column;
• a connector for interconnecting said fastener and said longitudinal rod, said connector including a surface defining a passage through which said longitudinal rod is extendable, said surface defining a first part-cylindrical portion of said passage with a radius larger than a radius of said longitudinal rod and a second part-cylindrical portion of said passage with a radius smaller than the radius of said longitudinal rod;
• means for releasably connecting said connector to said fastener;
• and
• a set screw for clamping said longitudinal rod in said passage, said set screw having a portion engageable with said longitudinal rod to clamp said longitudinal rod against said surface defining said second part-cylindrical portion of said passage.

An apparatus for use internally in a human body in retaining spinal elements in a desired spatial relationship in a spinal column, said apparatus comprising:

• an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and a first end portion for receipt in an opening in a spinal element and a second threaded end portion for threadedly receiving a nut, said second threaded end portion being fixedly connected to said first end portion and coaxial with said first end portion;
• a longitudinal member which is positionable along the spinal column laterally from a line containing the longitudinal axis of said elongate member;
• a connector for connecting said elongate member and said longitudinal member, said connector having a portion with a first opening therethrough, said first opening having a length greater than its width and the length of said first opening extending transverse to said longitudinal member when said connector connects said elongate member and said longitudinal member, said second end portion of said elongate member being extensible through said first opening and being of a dimension less than the length of said first opening enabling adjustment of said connector relative to said elongate member;
• said portion with said first opening therethrough having surface portions on opposite sides of said first opening for receiving a clamping force of said nut threaded onto said second threaded end portion;
• means defining a second opening through said connector through which said longitudinal member extends, said second opening extending transverse to said length of said first opening;
• and
• means for securing said longitudinal member in said second opening.