US5709684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Advanced compression locking variable length cross-link device
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
•
Filing: 1996-04-15
•
Granted: 1998-01-20
•
Expires: 2016-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A variable length cross-link device for use with orthopaedic dual rod apparatuses includes a pair of elongate elements, each having a first end which mates with a rod or pedicle screw. The first element has a second end which is narrow and extending. The second element has a second end which is wide and extending, and includes a through hole. The invention further includes a post having an upper threaded portion mounted through the hole in the second element, and a passageway in the lower portion for receiving the second end of the first element. A nut is provided onto the post. Prior to tightening of the nut, the first element is slidable relative to the post and the second element, and the post element has rotational freedom within the through hole such that the first and second elements may be angulated relative to one another. Once the nut is tightened, the first and second elements are compressibly engaged, thereby crush locking the elements together. In a first embodiment, the first ends of the elongate elements are curvate and have set screw hole to hook and lock onto the rods. In a second embodiment the first ends have eyeloops for coupling to the heads of pedicle screws. In a third embodiment, which is compatible with either of the first end configurations, the narrow and extending end of the first element is cylindrical so that the first and second ends may axially rotate relative to one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph P. Errico
- 👤 Thomas J. Errico
- 👤 James D. Ralph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7049; A61B17/7052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A variable length cross-link device for use with orthopaedic rod apparatuses having a plurality of rods, comprising: a first element having first and second ends, said first end including means for coupling to a first rod, said second end comprising a narrow extending portion; a second element having first and second ends, said first end including means for coupling to a second rod, said second end comprising a wide extending portion, said wide extending portion including a through hole; a post including an upper portion having a threading thereon, said upper portion being mounted through the through hole in the second element; and a lower portion having a passageway therethrough for receiving said narrow extending portion of said first element, such that said second end of said second element seats around said post at a position above said passageway; and a nut, threadably engageable with the upper portion of the post, whereby prior to tightening of the nut on the post, the first element is slideable relative to the post and the second element, and the post element has rotational freedom within the through hole such that the first and second elements may be angulated relative to one another, and whereby tightening of the nut on the post causes the first and second elements to be compressibly engaged, thereby crush locking the elements together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A variable length cross-link device for use with orthopaedic rod apparatuses having a plurality of rods, comprising: a first element having first and second ends, said first end including means for coupling to a first rod, said second end comprising a narrow extending portion; a second element having first and second ends, said first end including means for coupling to a second rod, said second end comprising a wide extending portion, said wide extending portion including a through hole; a post including an upper portion having a threading thereon, said upper portion being mounted through the through hole in the second element; and a lower portion having a passageway therethrough for receiving said narrow extending portion of said first element, such that said second end of said second element seats around said post at a position above said passageway; and a nut, threadably engageable with the upper portion of the post, whereby prior to tightening of the nut on the post, the first element is slideable relative to the post and the second element, and the post element has rotational freedom within the through hole such that the first and second elements may be angulated relative to one another, and whereby tightening of the nut on the post causes the first and second elements to be compressibly engaged, thereby crush locking the elements together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cross-link device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for coupling the first and second elements to the first and second rods, respectively, comprise set screws and hook shaped first ends having threaded holes therethrough for receiving said set screws.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The cross-link device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for coupling the first and second elements to the first and second rods, respectively, comprise eyeloops formed in the first ends thereof, which eyeloops are positionable over respective heads of pedicle screws, whereby each element is coupled to the corresponding pedicle screw by a nut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cross-link device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the narrow extending portion of the first element comprises a cylindrical shaft, and wherein the passageway through the post is correspondingly cylindrical, such that the first element may also be axially rotatable relative to the second element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cross-link device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a surface roughening disposed on the narrow extending portion of the first element and the wide extending portion of the second element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cross-link device as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a surface roughening disposed on an interior surface of said passageway of said post.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cross-link device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said roughened surface comprises a diamond knurl.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cross-link device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said roughened surface comprises a diamond knurl.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
246 words
A cross-linked dual rod orthopaedic implant apparatus comprising: a pair of rods adapted to be coupled to posterior surfaces of sequential vertebrae via pedicle screws; at least one variable length cross-link device for coupling said pair of rods, including a first element having first and second ends, said first end including means for coupling to a first rod, said second end comprising a narrow extending portion; a second element having first and second ends, said first end including means for coupling to a second rod, said second end comprising a wide extending portion, said wide extending portion including a through hole; a post including an upper portion having a threading thereon, said upper portion being mounted through the through hole in the second element; and a lower portion having a passageway therethrough for receiving said narrow extending portion of said first element, such that said second end of said second element seats around said post at a position above said passageway; and a nut, threadably engageable with the upper portion of the post, whereby prior to tightening of the nut on the post, the first element is slideable relative to the post and the second element, and the post element has rotational freedom within the through hole such that the first and second elements may be angulated relative to one another, and whereby tightening of the nut on the post causes the first and second elements to be compressibly engaged, thereby crush locking the elements together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
246 words
A cross-linked dual rod orthopaedic implant apparatus comprising: a pair of rods adapted to be coupled to posterior surfaces of sequential vertebrae via pedicle screws; at least one variable length cross-link device for coupling said pair of rods, including a first element having first and second ends, said first end including means for coupling to a first rod, said second end comprising a narrow extending portion; a second element having first and second ends, said first end including means for coupling to a second rod, said second end comprising a wide extending portion, said wide extending portion including a through hole; a post including an upper portion having a threading thereon, said upper portion being mounted through the through hole in the second element; and a lower portion having a passageway therethrough for receiving said narrow extending portion of said first element, such that said second end of said second element seats around said post at a position above said passageway; and a nut, threadably engageable with the upper portion of the post, whereby prior to tightening of the nut on the post, the first element is slideable relative to the post and the second element, and the post element has rotational freedom within the through hole such that the first and second elements may be angulated relative to one another, and whereby tightening of the nut on the post causes the first and second elements to be compressibly engaged, thereby crush locking the elements together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the means for coupling the first and second elements to the first and second rods, respectively, comprise set screws and hook shaped first ends having threaded holes therethrough for receiving said set screws.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the means for coupling the first and second elements to the first and second rods, respectively, comprise eyeloops formed in the first ends thereof, which eyeloops are positionable over respective heads of pedicle screws, whereby each element is coupled to the corresponding pedicle screw by a nut.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the narrow extending portion of the first element comprises a cylindrical shaft, and wherein the passageway through the post is correspondingly cylindrical, such that the first element may also be axially rotatable relative to the second element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a surface roughening disposed on the narrow extending portion of the first element and the wide extending portion of the second element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a surface roughening disposed on an interior surface of said passageway of said post.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said roughened surface comprises a diamond knurl.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said roughened surface comprises a diamond knurl.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4611582A
Cited
US5005562A
Cited
US5154718A
Cited
US5108395A
Cited
US5147360A
Cited
US5549607A
Cited
US5439463A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-01-19 | 2001-07-21 | 2002-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-19 | 2005-07-21 | 2006-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-19 | 2009-07-21 | 2010-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |