Device for connecting a longitudinal support to a pedicle screw
AssigneeSynthes USA, LLC
InventorFridolin Schlapfer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a device used to connect a longitudinal support to a pedicle screw by an accommodating head having a channel to accommodate the longitudinal support, wherein it is possible to freely choose from or mix laterally open, top open or closed accommodating heads. A top open accommodating head facilitates, for example, insertion of the longitudinal support, whereas a lateral opening enables lateral corrections. The pedicle screw and the accommodating head are connected via a conical collet chuck in the accommodating head and by a spherical head on the pedicle screw. The present invention allows engagement of the pedicle screw in the accommodating head after the pedicle screw has been inserted into bone.
Claims20
A spinal fixation system comprising:
- a longitudinal member positionable along a spinal column;
- a fastener having a threaded end for engaging a vertebra;
- and
- a connector member for connecting the fastener and the longitudinal member, said connector member having top, bottom, and side surfaces, and comprising:
- a channel extending through the side surfaces for receiving the longitudinal member;
- a tapered opening extending through the bottom surface for receiving the fastener;
- a top opening extending through the top surface and operatively associated with the tapered opening;
- a fastener clamping element having a hollow truncated cone shape, top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of slots, the element securing the fastener in the tapered opening at a surgeon selected angle relative to the connector member and longitudinal member;
- and
- a tension element insertable in the top opening,
- wherein insertion of the tension element in the top opening causes downward movement of the fastener clamping element in the tapered opening and thereby radial compression of the fastener clamping element to secure the fastener at the surgeon selected angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.