# US 7,744,634 B2 · Spinal rod system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,634 B2 - Document ID: US7744634B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/868,073 - Filed: 2004-06-15 - Published: 2005-12-15 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2004-06-15 - Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Inventors: Robert A. Farris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744634B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/705: {for linking adjacent ends of longitudinal elements} - A61B 17/7014: {with means for adjusting the distance between two screws or hooks} - A61B 17/7004: {with a cross-section which varies along its length (A61B17/7019 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/701: {Longitudinal elements with a non-circular, e.g. rectangular, cross-section (A61B17/7005, A61B17/7007 take precedence)} - A61B 17/7011: {Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched (adjustable length longitudinal elements A61B17/7014; A61B17/7019 takes precedence, e.g. coil springs)} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A spinal rod system includes a first rod and a second rod engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion. The first and second rods include rod portions with differing characteristics, and a coupling mechanism allows the spinal rod system to be assembled with rod portions having the desired characteristics while minimizing the footprint of the coupling arrangement between the first and second rods. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spinal rod system, comprising: a first elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said first rod including a first rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae and a first characteristic corresponding at least to a first cross-sectional dimension between opposite sides of said first rod portion; a second elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said second rod including a second rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae and a second characteristic corresponding at least to a second cross-sectional dimension between opposite sides of said second rod portion; and a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling said first ends of said first and second rods in end-to-end fashion and said opposite sides of each of said first and second rod portions aligned with one another and extending from said coupling mechanism in opposite directions from one another, wherein one of said aligned first and second cross-sectional dimensions is less than the other of said aligned first and second cross-sectional dimensions, wherein one of said first and second rods includes a coupling member at an end thereof, said coupling member including an external thread pattern interrupted by a flattened surface portion extending along said coupling member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism axially and torsionally constrains said first and second rods relative to one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second cross-sectional dimensions correspond to a diameter of respective ones of said first and second rod portions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism includes an engaging member positionable in engagement with said surface portion to resist rotation of said coupling member relative to a coupling body at said first end of the other of said first and second rods. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism includes a coupling body adjacent one of said first ends and a coupling member adjacent the other of said first ends, said coupling member being releasably engageable to said coupling body to couple said first ends to one another in end-to-end fashion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein said coupling body includes an internally threaded first bore and said coupling member is externally threaded for removable engagement in said first bore. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein said coupling body is enlarged relative to said rod portion of the respective one of the first and second rods on which said coupling body is located. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said first rod portion and said second rod portion each include a circular cross-section along said respective rod portion and said first and second cross-sectional dimensions each correspond to a diameter of said respective rod portion. ### Claim 9 A spinal rod system, comprising: a first elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said first rod including a first rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae and a first characteristic corresponding at least to a first cross-sectional dimension between opposite sides of said first rod portion; a second elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said second rod including a second rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae and a second characteristic corresponding at least to a second cross-sectional dimension between opposite sides of said second rod portion; a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling said first ends of said first and second rods in end-to-end fashion and said opposite sides of each of said first and second rod portions aligned with one another and extending from said coupling mechanism in opposite directions from one another, wherein one of said aligned first and second cross-sectional dimensions is less than the other of said aligned first and second cross-sectional dimensions, wherein: said coupling mechanism includes a coupling body adjacent one of said first ends and a coupling member adjacent the other of said first ends, said coupling member being releasably engageable to said coupling body to couple said first ends to one another in end-to-end fashion; said coupling body includes an internally threaded first bore and said coupling member is externally threaded for removable engagement in said first bore; and said externally threaded coupling member includes a partially cylindrical body with a flattened surface on at least one side thereof along said external threads. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said flattened surface lacks threads. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein said coupling body includes a second bore transversely oriented to and intersecting said first bore, said second bore including an internal thread for engaging an externally threaded set screw, said set screw positionable in engagement with said flattened surface of said coupling member when said coupling member is engaged in said first bore to prevent said coupling member from rotating in said first bore and to align said opposite sides of said first and second rod portions with one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein said second bore is orthogonal to said first bore. ### Claim 13 A spinal rod system, comprising: a first elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said first rod including a first rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae and a first characteristic corresponding at least to a first cross-sectional dimension between opposite sides of said first rod portion; a second elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said second rod including a second rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae and a second characteristic corresponding at least to a second cross-sectional dimension between opposite sides of said second rod portion; a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling said first ends of said first and second rods in end-to-end fashion and said opposite sides of each of said first and second rod portions aligned with one another and extending from said coupling mechanism in opposite directions from one another, wherein one of said aligned first and second cross-sectional dimensions is less than the other of said aligned first and second cross-sectional dimensions, wherein: said coupling mechanism includes a coupling body adjacent one of said first ends and a coupling member adjacent the other of said first ends, said coupling member being releasably engageable to said coupling body to couple said first ends to one another in end-to-end fashion; and said coupling body includes an internal bore flared toward said respective adjacent first end, and said coupling member includes an outer surface tapering toward said respective other adjacent first end, said flared bore receiving said tapered body in frictional engagement to releasably couple said first and second rods in end-to-end fashion. ### Claim 14 A spinal rod system, comprising: a first elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said first rod including a first rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae and a first characteristic corresponding at least to a first cross-sectional dimension between opposite sides of said first rod portion; a second elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said second rod including a second rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae and a second characteristic corresponding at least to a second cross-sectional dimension between opposite sides of said second rod portion; a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling said first ends of said first and second rods in end-to-end fashion and said opposite sides of each of said first and second rod portions aligned with one another and extending from said coupling mechanism in opposite directions from one another, wherein one of said aligned first and second cross-sectional dimensions is less than the other of said aligned first and second cross-sectional dimensions, wherein: said coupling mechanism includes a coupling body adjacent one of said first ends and a coupling member adjacent the other of said first ends, said coupling member being releasably engageable to said coupling body to couple said first ends to one another in end-to-end fashion; and each of said coupling body and said coupling member includes a flange extending radially about the respective rod portion of the first and second rods. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein said coupling mechanism further comprises at least one fastener positionable through bores extending through the respective flanges. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein said fastener extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of said first and second rod portions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein said coupling mechanism further comprises a clamp positionable about said flanges and engageable thereto to clamp said flanges to one another. ### Claim 18 A spinal rod system, comprising: a first elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said first rod including a rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae of the spinal column and a first characteristic and a coupling member at said first end; and a second elongated rod extending along said longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said second rod including a rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae of the spinal column and a second characteristic and a coupling body at said first end, said coupling body including a bore extending along said longitudinal axis, wherein said first and second rods are releasably engageable to one another in end-to-end fashion with said coupling member received in and axially fixed relative to said coupling body by engagement with said coupling body in said bore of said coupling body and said first and second rod portions extending from said coupling member and said coupling body in opposite directions from one another, wherein said first bore of said coupling body is internally threaded and said coupling member is externally threaded for engagement in said first bore and said externally threaded coupling member includes a flattened portion extending along said threads. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the first and second characteristics each include a diameter of a respective one of the first and second rod portions, wherein the diameter of the first rod is less than the diameter of the second rod. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said first bore of said coupling body is internally threaded and said coupling member is externally threaded for engagement in said first bore. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said flattened portion lacks threads. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein said coupling body includes a second bore transversely oriented to and intersecting said first bore, said second bore including an internal thread profile for engaging a fastener, said fastener positionable in engagement with said cutout portion of said coupling member when said coupling member is engaged in said first bore to prevent said coupling member from rotating in said first bore. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, wherein said second bore is orthogonal to said first bore. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said coupling body is enlarged relative to said rod portion of the respective one of the first and second rods on which said coupling body is located. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said first and second characteristics of said first and second rod portions is a circular cross-section along a length of each of said rod portions, wherein a diameter of one of said rod portions is less than a diameter of the other of said rod portions along said lengths. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said rod portion of said first rod includes a first configuration and said coupling member includes a second configuration different from said first configuration. ### Claim 27 A spinal rod system, comprising: a first elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said first rod including a rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae of the spinal column and a first characteristic and a coupling member at said first end; and a second elongated rod extending along said longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said second rod including a rod portion with a length sized for attachment between vertebrae of the spinal column and a second characteristic and a coupling body at said first end, said coupling body including a bore extending along said longitudinal axis, wherein said first and second rods are releasably engageable to one another in end-to-end fashion with said coupling member received in and axially fixed relative to said coupling body by engagement with said coupling body in said bore of said coupling body and said first and second rod portions extending from said coupling member and said coupling body in opposite directions from one another, wherein said coupling body includes an internal bore flared toward said respective first end, and said coupling member includes a tapered outer surface tapering toward said respective first end, said flared bore receiving said tapered body in frictional engagement to releasably couple said first and second rods in end-to-end fashion.