Patent · US Expired

Spinal instrumentation system with articulated modules

US6296644A · kind A · utility

310Cited by
7References
49Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 2000
Grant dateOct 2, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 25, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/00867
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

This spinal osteosynthesis instrumentation comprises at least two modules (1, 2) articulated together by a male-female spherical connection (5, 8) permitting a relative orientation of the modules in all directions, and ring (14) for rigidifying the assembly of the modules (1, 2) in the desired orientation so as to adapt it to the anatomy of the considered spinal segment. The modules (1, 2) each comprise a body (3) in which is formed a spherical socket (5) opening onto an end of the body, and a spherical head or ball (8) of an adjacent module can be inserted in this socket and maintained therein by a clipping action thereby forming a ball joint. This articulated system is extremely flexible and can be easily adapted to the anatomies of the spinal segments without exerting a substantial force on the patient, and can be maintained with the desired angulation by use of rings (14) clamping the articulated connections and composed of an alloy having a shape memory which clamp the balls (8) at the temperature of the body of the patient.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.