Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An anchor assembly for securing a fixation rod, such assembly comprising a spinal anchor assembly having a screw axis and a head member with a slot and
an open distal end adapted for passage of a linking element such as a rod or cable
therethrough and a cap for closing the open end wherein the head member comprises an upwardly extending body having at least
a partial flange portion extending about a perimeter of said head member, and wherein the cap includes a cover having a plurality of spaced apart radially
extending rim protrusions adapted for passing through the partial flange portion when
the cover is moved along the screw axis and rotating into engagement with the partial
flange portion of the head member so as to close the open end and thereby capture the
linking member in the slot, said cap further having a centrally-placed clamping member for tightening down
to further clamp the captured linking member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein the head member includes a pair of reduction
tabs extending upwardly therefrom, and said cap includes a corresponding pair of
circumferentially oriented slots configured for passage of the reduction tabs
therethrough so as to allow relative rotation of the head member and the cap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the clamping member includes a
clamping screw that passes centrally through the cap for locking the linking member in
position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partial flange portion of the
head member extends externally of the perimeter, and said cap rim protrusions project
inwardly from a dependent circumferential body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partial flange portion of the
head member extends internally of the perimeter, and said cap fits within the head member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
An anchor assembly for securing a linkage such as a rod or cable, wherein the
anchor assembly comprises an anchor element configured for attachment to a bone, and having a protruding
top member including an open slot for passing the linkage therethrough, and a cap for closing the open slot of the top member wherein the top member and the cap are adapted to twist-lock together by a
partial rotation to cover the slot so as to capture the linkage, and the cap further
includes a clamping member for tightening down to secure the linkage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The anchor assembly of claim 6, wherein the top member and cap twist-lock
together by engagement of respective flange segments on said top member and said
cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The anchor assembly of claim 7, wherein at least some of the flange segments
are sloped along a radial direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The anchor assembly of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the clamping member
includes a locking bolt threaded in the cap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The anchor assembly of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the top member includes
a surface forming a circumferential ridge for centering the cap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The anchor assembly of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the top member includes
reduction tabs, and the cap includes slots for passage of the reduction tabs therethrough
and sized to permit said partial rotation of the cap relative to the top member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The anchor assembly of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the top member includes
radially inwardly protruding capture protrusions, and the cap is a twist-in-cap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The anchor assembly of any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the anchor element is a
monoaxial screw, a polyaxial screw, a hook, a transverse connector, an offset connector, a
slotted connector, a wire or cable anchor or an anchor for the connection of multiple
longitudinal members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
110 words
A spinal anchor assembly for securing a linking element such as a fixation rod
or cable, wherein the anchor assembly includes a head with an open slot for receiving
the linking element, the head being adapted to anchor to bone, and said assembly
further includes a cap for closing the head to capture the linking element in the slot,
said head and said cap each having respective sets of radially-protruding segments
positioned such that the respective sets pass between each other as the cap is moved
along an axis of the anchor assembly, and lock against each other as the cap is rotated
about said axis through a partial rotation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein said radially-protruding segments
have a radially sloping lower surface to prevent disengagement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The anchor assembly of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein said cap is an internal twist-in-cap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The anchor assembly of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said cap extends
radially outside the head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 17 for use in securing an elongated linking
element such as a rod, wire or cable to a bone.