Spinal fixation system
US6050997A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/7044
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An adjustable spinal fixation system comprises a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a retention collet that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a securing nut and locking bolt cooperate with the support collar and retention collet to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components. In one embodiment, the connectors are multi-piece units that may be added or removed without disturbing adjacent connectors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.