Spinal fixation system
AssigneeLife Spine, Inc.
InventorsPatrick J. Sweeney, Michael S. Butler, Michael J. Milella, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spinal fixation system includes a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis. A fixation element is configured to connect the pedicle screw to at least one additional pedicle screw. A coupling mechanism includes a pedicle screw securing device adapted to secure the coupling mechanism to the pedicle screw and a fixation element securing device configured to secure the coupling mechanism to the fixation element. A fastening mechanism is configured to fasten both the pedicle screw securing device and the fixation element securing device. The fastening mechanism is located along the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw.
Claims19
A spinal fixation system, comprising:
- a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis;
- a fixation element configured to connect the pedicle screw to at least one additional pedicle screw;
- and
- a coupling mechanism, comprising:
- a pedicle screw securing device adapted to secure the coupling mechanism to the pedicle screw;
- a fixation element securing device configured to secure the coupling mechanism to the fixation element;
- and
- a fastening mechanism configured to fasten both the pedicle screw securing device and the fixation element securing device, the fastening mechanism located along the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw;
- wherein the fixation element securing device comprises a lower portion having a first fixation element receiving aperture and an upper portion having a second fixation element receiving aperture;
- wherein the first fixation receiving aperture and the second fixation receiving aperture are sized the same to receive the fixation element;
- and
- wherein the lower portion includes a single arm through which the first fixation element receiving aperture extends and the upper portion includes a pair of arms through which the second fixation element receiving aperture extends;
- and
- wherein the single arm of the lower portion is positioned between the pair of arms of the upper portion.
A spinal fixation system, comprising:
- a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis;
- a fixation element configured to connect the pedicle screw to at least one additional pedicle screw;
- and
- a coupling mechanism, comprising:
- a collet adapted to secure the coupling mechanism to the pedicle screw;
- a fixation element securing device configured to secure the coupling mechanism to the fixation element, the fixation element securing device including a lower portion and an upper portion;
- and
- a fastening mechanism configured to fasten both the collet and the fixation element securing device, the fastening mechanism located along the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw;
- wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, and the fastening mechanism each have a curved profile such that the curved profiles complement each other to allow the pedicle screw to be secured to the coupling mechanism at one of a plurality of angles;
- and
- wherein the lower portion nests at least partially within the upper portion.
A spinal fixation system comprising:
- a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis;
- a fixation element configured to connect the pedicle screw to at least one additional pedicle screw;
- and
- a coupling mechanism comprising:
- a collet including an aperture configured to receive the pedicle screw, a plurality of compressible arms, and a fastening portion;
- a receiver configured to secure the coupling mechanism to the fixation element;
- and
- a fastening mechanism configured to engage the fastening portion of the collet to couple the collet and the receiver together and to couple the collet and the pedicle screw together by compressing the compressible arms;
- wherein the fixation element securing device includes a lower portion and an upper portion;
- wherein the lower portion includes a single arm through which the first fixation element receiving aperture extends and the upper portion includes a pair of arms through which the second fixation element receiving aperture extends;
- and
- wherein the single arm of the lower portion is positioned between the pair of arms of the upper portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.