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US 7,857,837 B2Granted
Adjustable spinal system
OwnerJonas V. Lieponisinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for facilitating the installation of spinals support members on consecutive vertebrae where the optimal positioning of screws does not form a straight line. The system includes a first plate spanning a first and second vertebrae, a second plate spanning the second vertebrae and a third vertebrae and an offset member coupling the first plate to the second plate at a defined angle to accommodate the anatomical variations of the patients vertebrae.
Claims13
An adjustable spinal implant system comprising:
- a first plate having an elongated slot form therein along a longitudinal axis of said first plate;
- a second plate having an elongated slot form therein along a longitudinal axis of said second plate;
- an offset member having a opening formed therein to fit over a screw shaft and at least two tabs extending radially outward, the two tabs having centerlines that form an acute angle relative to each other;
- and
- first, second and third screws insertable in first, second and third vertebrae respectively;
- said first plate positioned over said first and second screws and said second plate positioned over said second and third screws;
- said offset member positioned over said second screw, said first tab engaged with the slot in said first plate and said second tab engaged with the slot in said second plate;
- wherein said offset member is positioned between said first and second plates and said second plate is provided with an offset such that said second plate may be positioned on said second screw over said first plate and said offset member;
- and
- wherein said second tab extends substantially in the same plane as the offset member to engage with said slot in said second plate, and said first tab extends in a plane different from said offset member to engage with said slot in said first plate.
7 more elements
A method for providing a spinal implant system comprising the steps of:
- forming a first plate having an elongated slot provided therein along a longitudinal axis of said first plate;
- forming a second plate having an elongated slot provided therein along a longitudinal axis of said second plate;
- forming an offset member having a opening provided therein to fit over a screw shaft and at least two tabs extending radially outward, the two tabs having centerlines that form an acute angle relative to each other;
- and providing first, second and third screws insertable in first, second and third vertebrae respectively;
- wherein the first plate formed to be positioned over the first and second screws and the second plate is formed to be positioned over the second and third screws;
- and wherein the offset member is formed to be positioned over the second screw between said first and second plates
- and said second plate is provided with an offset such that said second plate may be positioned on said second screw over said first plate and said offset member;
- the first tab is provided to be engaged with the slot in the first plate and the second tab is provided to be engaged with the slot in the second plate, wherein said second tab extends substantially in the same plane as the offset member to engage with said slot in said second plate, and said first tab extends in a plane different from said offset member to engage with said slot in said first plate.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.