Low profile transverse connector
AssigneeK2M, Inc.
InventorsBrandon Moore, Scott A. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided is a novel low profile transverse connector system having a first and second spinal rod connection member disposed at opposing ends of an elongated cross connection device, each connection member having a distal end configured to be capable of connecting to a spinal rod and a proximal end having a multidirectional articulation joint at which a centrally disposed cross connecting assembly is provided to attach the first and second connection members to each other, the first and second spinal rod connection members each defining two opposing compression slots that serve to facilitate a secure connection to spinal rods and to the cross connecting assembly by the tightening of only one locking screw. Also provided is a method of stabilizing vertebrae using the disclosed system.
Claims17
A low profile transverse connector system, comprising:
- a first and a second spinal rod connection member, each spinal rod connection member having a spinal rod connection passage at a first end and a ball joint receptacle at the opposing second end, said first and second spinal rod connection members each including an integral body having a first and a second opposing compression slot, each spinal rod connection member defining a locking screw receptacle sized and configured to receive a locking screw capable of exerting compressive forces on said respective spinal rod connection passages and said respective ball joint receptacles by compressing said respective first and second compression slots;
- said first and second spinal rod connection members being connected one to the other by an elongated cross connecting member, said cross connecting member terminating at each end with an articulating ball that is sized and configured to articulate within said respective ball joint receptacles of said first and second spinal rod connection members.
A transverse connector system comprising:
- first and second connection members, each connection member having a passage at a first end and a receptacle at an opposing second end, each of said first and second connection members having an integral body including first and second opposing compression slots, each of said first and second connection members including a screw opening;
- first and second screws insertable into respective screw openings;
- a connecting assembly for coupling the first and second connection members, the connecting assembly including:
- a first arm having a sleeve, a screw receptacle, and a first ball disposed at one end thereof, the first ball rotatably disposed in the receptacle of the first connection member;
- a second arm configured to slidably pass within said arm sleeve, the second arm including a second ball disposed at one end thereof, the second ball rotatably disposed in the receptacle of the second connection member;
- and
- a locking screw, said screw being capable of exerting compressive forces against said insertion arm positioned with said elongated arm sleeve, wherein said elongated arm sleeve is provided with an open portion along the length of the sleeve bottom, said open portion being defined on each side by opposing inwardly directed passage ridges and said insertion arm includes a downwardly directed insertion arm guide, said insertion arm guide being configured to slidably pass between said opposing inwardly directed passage ridges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.