Rod reducer

An apparatus for connecting to an orthopedic implant, comprising:

• a base having a relatively forward end and a relatively rearward end;
• a shaft connected to said base, said shaft being slidable with respect to said base between first and second positions;
• a plate having an aperture, said plate being pivotably connected to said shaft, such that when said shaft is in said first position said plate is in a position for locking to an implant, and when said shaft is slid to said second position, said plate pivots to a position for accepting insertion of a part of an implant;
• a sleeve at least partially surrounding said shaft and being slidable along said shaft and slidable with respect to said base and said plate;
• a ratchet mechanism connected to said base and said sleeve, said ratchet mechanism operable to move said sleeve with respect to said base, said shaft and said plate;
• and
• a stop connected to said base, said stop having at least one position connected to said ratchet mechanism in which movement in a rearward direction of said sleeve is limited, and a position disengaged from said ratchet mechanism so that said sleeve can be moved in a rearward direction.

An apparatus for connecting to an orthopedic implant, comprising:

• a base having a relatively forward end and a relatively rearward end;
• a shaft connected to said base, said shaft being slidable with respect to said base between first and second positions;
• a plate having an aperture, said plate being pivotably connected to said shaft, such that when said shaft is in said first position said plate is in a position for locking to an implant, and when said shaft is slid to said second position, said plate pivots to a position for accepting insertion of a part of an implant;
• and
• a sleeve at least partially surrounding said shaft and being slidable along said shaft and slidable with respect to said base and said plate,
• wherein said aperture of said plate is at least partially tapered.

An apparatus for connecting to an orthopedic implant, comprising:

• a base having a relatively forward end and a relatively rearward end;
• a shaft connected to said base, said shaft being slidable with respect to said base between first and second positions;
• a plate having an aperture, said plate being pivotably connected to said shaft, such that when said shaft is in said first position said plate is in a position for locking to an implant, and when said shaft is slid to said second position, said plate pivots to a position for accepting insertion of a part of an implant;
• a sleeve at least partially surrounding said shaft and being slidable along said shaft and slidable with respect to said base and said plate;
• and
• wherein said plate includes a rounded surface and said shaft includes an indentation, and said indentation and said rounded surface are adjacent each other.

An apparatus for connecting to an orthopedic implant, comprising:

• a base having a relatively forward end and a relatively rearward end;
• a shaft connected to said base, said shaft being slidable with respect to said base between first and second positions;
• a plate having an aperture, said plate being pivotably connected to said shaft, such that when said shaft is in said first position said plate is in a position for locking to an implant, and when said shaft is slid to said second position, said plate pivots to a position for accepting insertion of a part of an implant;
• a sleeve at least partially surrounding said shaft and being slidable along said shaft and slidable with respect to said base and said plate;
• and
• wherein said plate includes a rounded surface that facilitates pivoting of said plate.

An apparatus for connecting to an orthopedic implant, comprising:

• a base having a relatively forward end and a relatively rearward end;
• a shaft connected to said base, said shaft being slidable with respect to said base between first and second positions;
• a plate having an aperture, said plate being pivotably connected to said shaft, such that when said shaft is in said first position said plate is in a position for locking to an implant, and when said shaft is slid to said second position, said plate pivots to a position for accepting insertion of a part of an implant;
• a sleeve at least partially surrounding said shaft and being slidable along said shaft and slidable with respect to said base and said plate;
• and
• wherein said sleeve includes an end portion adapted to contact at least one of the group consisting of a spinal rod, an orthopedic connector, and an orthopedic plate.

An apparatus for connecting to an orthopedic implant, comprising:

• a base having a relatively forward end and a relatively rearward end;
• a shaft connected to said base, said shaft being slidable with respect to said base between first and second positions;
• a plate having an aperture, said plate being pivotably connected to said shaft, such that when said shaft is in said first position said plate is in a position for locking to an implant, and when said shaft is slid to said second position, said plate pivots to a position for accepting insertion of a part of an implant;
• a sleeve at least partially surrounding said shaft and being slidable along said shaft and slidable with respect to said base and said plate;
• and
• wherein said shaft includes an elongated portion and a plunger portion connected to each other.

An apparatus for connecting to an orthopedic implant, comprising:

• a base having a relatively forward end and a relatively rearward end;
• a shaft connected to said base, said shaft being slidable with respect to said base between first and second positions;
• a plate having an aperture, said plate being pivotably connected to said shaft, such that when said shaft is in said first position said plate is in a position for locking to an implant, and when said shaft is slid to said second position, said plate pivots to a position for accepting insertion of a part of an implant;
• a sleeve at least partially surrounding said shaft and being slidable along said shaft and slidable with respect to said base and said plate;
• and
• wherein said base comprises an upper base portion and a lower base portion connected together.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• an orthopedic implant;
• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture extending entirely through said plate member;
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate;
• a sleeve slidable with respect to said shaft;
• and
• a base connected to said shaft,
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of the orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished with the orthopedic implant positioned within said aperture and extending through said plate member, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and an inner surface of said aperture in said plate is in contact with the orthopedic implant.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate;
• a sleeve slidable with respect to said shaft;
• a base connected to said shaft;
• an actuator movably connected to said base, said actuator operating said ratchet mechanism when said actuator is moved relative to said base;
• and
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate;
• a sleeve slidable with respect to said shaft;
• a base connected to said shaft;
• a stock connected to said base;
• a first leaf spring connected to said actuator and a second leaf spring connected to said stock, wherein said leaf springs are connected together so as to bias the actuator and stock apart;
• and
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate;
• a sleeve slidable with respect to said shaft;
• a base connected to said shaft, wherein said base comprises an upper base portion and a lower base portion connected together and wherein said base portions are pivotably connected together;
• and
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture extending entirely through said plate member, said aperture including an inner circular surface;
• and
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate,
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant, and wherein said inner circular surface of said aperture of said plate is at least partially tapered.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• and
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate,
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant, and wherein said aperture of said plate is at least partially tapered, and wherein said aperture of said plate has a constant diameter section.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• and
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said elate member substantially around said second edge of said plate,
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant, and wherein said aperture of said plate is at least partially tapered, and wherein said aperture of said plate is uniformly tapered.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• and
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate,
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate includes a rounded surface and said shaft includes an indentation, and said indentation and said rounded surface are adjacent each other.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• and
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate,
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant, and wherein said shaft includes an elongated portion and a plunger portion connected to each other.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate;
• and
• a lever connected to said shaft, wherein operating said lever causes said shaft to move, thereby pivoting said plate, and wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate;
• and
• a slider connected to said shaft, wherein operating said slider causes said shaft to move, thereby pivoting said plate, and wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant.

An apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery, comprising:

• a plate member having first and second edges substantially opposite each other and an aperture;
• a shaft connected to said plate member adjacent said first edge of said plate member, said shaft being movable to pivot said plate member substantially around said second edge of said plate;
• a sleeve slidable with respect to said shaft;
• a ratchet mechanism operable to move said sleeve with respect to said shaft and said plate;
• and
• a base connected to said shaft,
• wherein said aperture is sized to allow insertion of at least part of an orthopedic implant, and wherein said plate member has a first position in which said aperture is relatively open and such insertion can be accomplished, and a second position in which said aperture is relatively closed and said plate can contact the orthopedic implant.