Patent · US Expired

Universal coupler for spinal fixation

USRE39035E1 · kind E1 · reissue

204Cited by
34References
47Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1997
Grant dateMar 21, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC —)General

Abstract

A spinal rod coupler assembly providing four degrees of freedom for connecting a spinal rod to a vertebrae of a patient which includes a tubular coupler member, an eyebolt, an insert and a set screw. The coupler member has a longitudinal bore, a central axis, and an end portion that is open ended and internally threaded and a second end portion that is closed. A plurality of openings in the tubular coupler member that includes a first pair of openings intersecting the central axis of the bore at generally right angles and a second pair of openings intersecting the central axis of the bore at generally right angles. The first and second pairs of openings being perpendicular to each other. The first pair of openings are sized and shaped to receive a spinal rod. The eyebolt has a shank portion and an eye portion, with the shank portion being insertable through the second pair of openings of the coupler body. The eye portion has an opening sized and shaped to mate with a selected bone bolt or bone screw. The insert fits within the bore and has opposed, arc-shaped end portions with recesses for engaging the spinal rod and eyebolt member. The set screw threadably engages the internally t…

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