Perpendicular rod connector for spinal fixation device
US5437671A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/7043
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The spinal rod system and perpendicular rod connector of the invention provides for a first rod to be connected by two pedicle screws transverse to the spine across a vertebra. The perpendicular connector is then connected to the first rod anywhere along the rod. The longitudinal spinal rod is then connected to the perpendicular rod connector using common connectors. The perpendicular connector is slidable along the first rod. By using the perpendicular rod connector, the amount of bending and the tolerances required is reduced as the connector may be slid along the transverse rod to accommodate the longitudinal rod. Known pedicle screws may be used with a slight bend placed in the transverse rod to accommodate the spinal column. Alternatively, the pedicle screws may be bent slightly such that a straight transverse rod may be used. By using the perpendicular rod connector and transverse rod arrangement, the amount of bending required on the longitudinal rod may be reduced to thereby shorten the entire procedure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.