Transverse connector for spinal fixation systems
US6110173A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/8655
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A transverse connector is provided that is useful for adding rigidity to a spinal fixation system employing a pair of generally parallel spine rods. The transverse connector includes a body portion with a longitudinal aperture for receiving a shaft of an adjusting arm such that the adjusting arm can slide into and out of the longitudinal aperture. The body and adjusting arm, while being in sliding engagement for adjustment of the length of the transverse connector, are secured to one another by a set screw threaded into a threaded aperture provided on the body portion. The threaded aperture is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal aperture so that the tip of the set screw will form an interference fit against the shaft of the adjusting arm. Each of the body and adjusting arm includes a clamping assembly consisting of a pair of clamp halves which cooperate to grip one of the spine rods. Each pair of clamp halves fastens to a different one of the spine rods. The clamp halves are pressed together to grip the spine rods using a pair of nuts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.