Patent · US Active

Spinal implant adjustment device

US7918876B2 · kind B2 · utility

46Cited by
485References
58Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 2004
Grant dateApr 5, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 1, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2250/0006
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An adjustable spinal implant (10) is provided for use in connecting elongate members (12) as well as vertebral spacers such as corpectomy devices, intervertebral fusion devices, and other prostheses. The implant (10) may have fittings (80) on either end comprising fixed (100) or articulating (200) jaws, endplates, or other engagement structures. The implant (10) comprises a housing (40) with an internal rotor (60); an extending shaft (20); and a locking collar (70). The extending shaft (20) has an external helical groove (23) that meshes with an internal helical groove (63) on rotor (20). Length adjustment occurs by transforming axial movement of the extending shaft (20) into a rotary movement of the rotor (60) via helical engagement. The locking collar (70) comprises protrusion (73) engaging grooves (63) of rotor (60), thus providing a simple, positive locking mechanism without requiring the surgeon to apply excessive force to lock the length.

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