Patent · US Expired

Clamping connector for spinal fixation systems

US6706045B2 · kind B2 · utility

284Cited by
50References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 31, 2002
Grant dateMar 16, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 31, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B17/7041
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention is directed to one piece connector for connecting angularly misaligned implanted pedicle screws to transverse spinal rods in spinal fixation systems. The body portion includes a bore having an inside diameter and a longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axis of the bore being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leg portion. The leg portion includes a slot placed through a section of the leg portion, along the transverse axis of the leg portion and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the leg portion. The slot intersects the bore of the body portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore. The slot allows the one piece connector to be securely clamped around a longitudinal spinal rod when a pedicle screw is implanted at variable distances from the longitudinal spinal rod. The one piece connector allows for angular misalignment of an implanted pedicle screw in relation to a longitudinal spinal rod and the one piece connector, and for the attachment of the one piece connector to both the longitudinal spinal rod and to the implanted pedicle screw with a single locking mechanism when the one piece connector is used in a spinal fixa…

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