Patent · US Active

Screw head locker apparatus and methods of use

US8986319B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

2References

10Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Alphatec Spine, Inc. · US

Inventor

Ketchen Smith · Escondido, US

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 11, 2011
Grant date	Mar 24, 2015
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 15, 2032

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10S606/916
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for provisionally locking a polyaxial head on a fixed head of a bone screw using a locking bushing includes an elongated housing with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having couplers for releasably coupling with the polyaxial head; an inner shaft slidably engaged within the housing and including a distal portion, a middle portion, and a proximal portion; and an actuator that selectively positions the inner shaft within the housing to engage at least one of the distal portion, the middle portion, and the proximal portion with at least one of the couplers and the bushing disposed between the distal portion and the fixed head of the bone screw.

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