Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for functionally connecting a spinal rod to a vertebra, said system comprising a first fixation means connected to said vertebra, said first fixation means includes a bar carried transverse to a longitudinal dimension of a patients's spinal column, said system further including a secondary fixation means carried by said bar, said secondary fixation means being shiftable on said bar relative to said first fixation means, and means for connecting said spinal rod to said secondary fixation means such that said spinal rod is transverse to said rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of Claim 1 wherein said first fixation means includes at least two screws for seating within each pedicle portion of said vertebra, said bar extending between said screws.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of Claim 1 wherein said secondary fixation means comprises a connector having a body with an opening for accommodating said spinal fixation rod, a pair of hooks extend outwardly from a wall of said body, said hooks clampingly engage said rod such that said spinal fixation rod is transverse to said rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of Claim 3 wherein said connector includes a ledge adjacent each hook, said hooks extending from said wall such that said hooks face in opposite directions and are spaced from one another along said wall, said hooks yield to accept said rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
A rod connector for connecting a spinal fixation rod to a support rod in a generally perpendicular orientation, said connector including a body having an opening therethrough for accommodating said spinal fixation rod, said rod connector further including hook means extending outwardly from a rear wall of said body for clamping engagement with said support rod between said hook means and said body, said hook means being yieldable to pass said support rod between said body and a distal tip of said hook means, wherein said hook means defines a cavity for accommodating said support rod, said cavity being transverse to said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The rod connector of Claim 5 wherein said hook means includes a pair of arcuate hooks facing in opposite directions and spaced along the rear wall of said body, each of said hooks including a distal tip spaced from said rear wall and a apex.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rod connector of Claim 6 wherein the distance between the distal tips of said hooks and said rear wall is less than the distance between the apexes and the rear wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rod connector of Claim 5 wherein said body includes recesses therein for accommodating mating projections from a clamp member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bone screw for use with spinal fixation devices, said screw including a threaded shaft and an integral head, said head defining a seat for accommodating a spinal rod, the improvement wherein said head and screw are angled relative to one anther.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bone screw of Claim 9 wherein said head and shaft are angled relative to one another in the range between 10 and 25 degrees.