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AssigneeInterpore Cross International
InventorsPhilip A. Mellinger, Donald B. Knoth
Estimating the term…
A spinal implant assembly is provided which has a stabilizer rod clamped into position within an anchor by means of a sliding closure member including a mating set screw or hook. The exterior faces of the anchor are contoured to optimize interface in the surgical setting. The anchor includes a U-shaped channel having multiple undercut surfaces such as grooves, which mate with flange like projections or “dovetails” of a closure member which is slid in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The closure member has on either side a flange mating with opposing recesses formed at the top of the U-shaped channel so as to lock the closure member in place. The set screw has an external hex head for tightening, and a plurality of radically extending prongs which are undercut and which mate with the recesses in the top of the U-shaped channel of the anchor. The hex head sheers at a necked area above the radial collar to provide for a flush surface relative to the closure member. The undercuts on the prongs allow the set screw to be unscrewed from the closure member.
A spinal implant assembly comprising a bone anchor and a fastener, said anchor including a u-shaped channel which receives a rod, said channel including two opposing parallel lateral surfaces each having at least two undercut surfaces and a closure member having two parallel longitudinal surfaces each including two flange members which dovetail into recesses defining said undercut surfaces of said anchor channel.
A set screw for use in a spinal implant comprising a first threaded portion and a second portion having an external hexagonal cross section joined by a necked area to said first portion and further comprising an intermediate area having a plurality of prongs which together form a radially extending collar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.