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US 9,433,439 B2Granted
Radiolucent stabilizing rod with radiopaque marker
AssigneeInnovasis, Inc.
InventorsBrent A. Felix, David N. McKean, David A. Hershgold
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stabilizing rod includes an elongate shaft extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end. The shaft is comprised of a radiolucent material and bounds a passageway that at least partially extends between the proximal end and the distal end. A core is disposed within the passageway of the shaft. The core can be comprised of a radiopaque material. The stabilizing rod can also include a radiopaque marker disposed on or within the shaft.
Claims31
A stabilizing rod for use in positioning adjacent vertebrae with respect to each other, the stabilizing rod comprising:
- an elongate shaft extending longitudinally between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the shaft having a first end face disposed at the proximal end, a second end face disposed at the distal end, and an encircling side surface extending between the end faces, the shaft having a central longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end and bounding a passageway that extends along the central longitudinal axis so that the central longitudinal axis is disposed within the passageway, the shaft being comprised of a radiolucent material and the encircling side surface consisting entirely of a radiolucent material, the radiolucent material comprising a matrix of fiber and adhesive;
- and
- a solid core having an encircling exterior side surface that extends between opposing end faces, the solid core being disposed within the passageway of the shaft and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft so that the core extends along the central longitudinal axis of the shaft, the solid core being comprised of a radiopaque material and being bonded to the shaft by the adhesive of the shaft along the entire length of the core, the solid core having the configuration of a rod and being the only rod that extends along the length of the shaft, wherein the matrix of fiber and adhesive is wound around the core so that the fiber encircles the core in a helical pattern, wherein the matrix of fiber and adhesive is bonded together so that at least a section of the shaft extends continuously as a unitary bonded structure between the opposing end faces of the shaft without encircling the core.
A stabilizing rod for use in positioning adjacent vertebrae with respect to each other, the stabilizing rod comprising:
- an elongate shaft extending longitudinally between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the shaft bounding and completely encircling a passageway at least partially extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the shaft being comprised of a radiolucent material, the radiolucent material comprising a matrix of fiber and adhesive;
- and
- a solid core having an encircling exterior side surface that extends between opposing end faces, the solid core being disposed within the passageway of the shaft and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft, the solid core having the configuration of a rod and being configured so that the entire length of the core is disposed within a plane, the core being comprised of a radiopaque material and being bonded to the shaft by the adhesive of the shaft along the entire length of the core, the core being the only rod secured to the shaft, wherein the matrix of fiber and adhesive is wound around the core so that the fiber encircles the core in a helical pattern, wherein the matrix of fiber and adhesive is bonded together so that at least a section of the shaft extends continuously as a unitary bonded structure between the proximal end and the opposing distal end of the shaft without encircling the core.
A stabilizing rod for use in positioning adjacent vertebrae with respect to each other, the stabilizing rod comprising:
- an elongate shaft having a central longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the shaft bounding and completely encircling a passageway that extends along the central longitudinal axis at least partially between the proximal end and the distal end so that the central longitudinal axis is disposed within the passageway, the shaft being comprised of a radiolucent material, the radiolucent material comprising a matrix of fiber and adhesive;
- and
- a solid core disposed within the passageway of the shaft and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft, the solid core being comprised of a radiopaque material such that when the stabilizing rod is X-rayed, the solid core is the only portion of the stabilizing rod viewable on the corresponding X-ray image, the core having an encircling exterior side surface extending along the length thereof that is bonded to the shaft by the adhesive of the shaft along the entire length of the core, wherein the matrix of fiber and adhesive is wound around the core so that the fiber encircles the core along the length thereof in a helical pattern, wherein the matrix of fiber and adhesive is bonded together so that at least a section of the shaft extends continuously as a unitary bonded structure between the proximal end and the opposing distal end of the shaft without encircling the core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.