US 7,794,478 B2Granted

Polyaxial cross connector and methods of use thereof

AssigneeInnovative Delta Technology, LLC

InventorCarl Michael Nilsson

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Abstract

A connector device for a spinal stabilization apparatus comprises a first elongated member having first and second ends, and is adapted to engage a first spinal stabilizer rod proximal to the first end of the elongated member and is further adapted to engage a spinal cross connector rod proximal to a second end of the first elongated member. The first end of the first elongated member comprises a hook shape and a ferrule and may engage the first spinal stabilizer rod within about 20 degrees of perpendicular to the spinal stabilizer rod in any direction. The ferrule is adapted to be seated within the hook shape and is further adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod. A second elongated member substantially similar to the first may additionally be used in a spinal stabilization apparatus. The connector device may be used in a method of treating a patient.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A connector device for a spinal stabilization apparatus, the device comprising:

at least a first elongated member having first and second ends, adapted to engage at least a first spinal stabilizer rod proximal to the first end of the first elongated member and further adapted to engage a spinal cross connector rod proximal to a second end of the first elongated member,
wherein the first end of the elongated member is adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod up to about 20 degrees from perpendicular to the first spinal stabilizer rod in any direction, and
wherein the first end of the first elongated member comprises a hook shape and a ferrule that is generally spherical in shape with a generally cylindrical channel located therethrough, and wherein the ferrule is adapted to be seated within the hook shape and is further adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod,
wherein the hook shape of the first end of the first elongated member comprises two opposed tabs separated by a first gap which forms an entrance into a cavity of the hook shape and wherein the ferrule has an outside diameter that is greater than the width of the first gap at the entrance
wherein the first end of the first elongated member additionally comprises a retainer adapted to maintain the ferrule in contact with one or more side walls of the hook shape proximal to the first gap, and wherein the retainer comprises a spring in contact with the ferrule.

2 more elements

A method of treating a patient, the method comprising:

attaching at least a first longitudinal spinal stabilizer to the spine of a patient;
and
attaching a first elongated member to the spinal stabilizer;
wherein the first elongated member has first and second ends, and wherein the first spinal stabilizer is engaged to the first end of the first elongated member and further wherein the first end of the elongated member is adapted to engage the first longitudinal spinal stabilizer up to about 20 degrees from perpendicular to the first longitudinal spinal stabilizer in any direction, and
wherein the first end of the first elongated member comprises a hook shape and a first ferrule that is generally spherical in shape with a generally cylindrical channel located therethrough, adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod, and wherein the ferrule is adapted to be seated within the hook shape, and
wherein the hook shape of the first end of the first elongated member comprises two opposed tabs separated by a first gap which forms an entrance into a channel of the hook shape and wherein the first ferrule has an outside diameter that is greater than the first gap at the entrance, and
wherein the first end of the first elongated member additionally comprises a spring in contact with the ferrule for maintaining the first ferrule in contact with one or more side walls of the hook shape proximal to the first gap.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.