Dynamic stabilization member with molded connection
OwnerRoger P. Jacksoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having at least one transition portion and cooperating outer sleeve, both the transition portion and sleeve being disposed between the two bone anchors. The transition portion includes a rigid length or rod having apertures therein and a molded plastic length that extends through the apertures, thus attaching the plastic length to the rigid length. The sleeve surrounds the transition portion and extends between the pair of bone anchors, the sleeve being compressible in a longitudinal direction between the bone anchors.
Claims5
A medical implant assembly having a first bone attachment structure and a second bone attachment structure each cooperating with an elongate longitudinal connecting member, the elongate longitudinal connecting member comprising:
- a rigid rod segment attached to at least one of the first bone attachment structure or the second bone attachment structure;
- a flexible core member extending entirely through at least one of the first bone attachment structure or the second bone attachment structure, the flexible core member being pre-tensioned and cooperating with the first bone attachment structure and the second bone attachment structure, thereby providing dynamic stabilization;
- a transition portion having an end portion and being at least partially disposed between the first bone attachment structure and the second bone attachment structure, the rigid rod segment and the flexible core member attached at the transition portion;
- and
- an outer flexible sleeve surrounding and supporting at least a portion of the flexible core member, the outer flexible sleeve engaging and being in an overlapping position with the end portion of the transition portion, the outer flexible sleeve being positioned entirely between the first bone attachment structure and the second bone attachment structure under compression and in any rotational position with respect to the transition portion when in the overlapping position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.