US6004322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular pedicle screw system
Assignee: SDGI Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1996-09-10
•
Granted: 1999-12-21
•
Expires: 2016-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A modular pedicle screw system for use with a longitudinal member, such as a plate or rod, having a fastener with a threaded lower portion for engaging a spinal element and an upper portion adapted to receive a headpiece. The headpiece is adapted to mate with the upper portion of the fastener and to engage a longitudinal member. A plurality of headpieces having angulated projections, lateral sections, and angulated lateral sections, all of which are adapted to engage a longitudinal member and overcome angular and translational malalignment of the fastener, may also be provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Avi J. Bernstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7041; A61B17/7002; A61B17/7004; A61B17/7007; A61B17/701; A61B17/7044; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30159; A61F2002/30171; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/30364; A61F2002/30367; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A modular bone screw system for use with a longitudinal member comprising: a fastener having an upper portion defining an outer wall having a first mating surface and a threaded lower portion for securing said fastener to a bone; a headpiece having a neck portion defining a bore which defines an inner wall having a second mating surface and a connector for retaining the longitudinal member; said first and second mating surfaces of said walls include means for sliding engagement of said fastener and said headpiece upon insertion of said upper portion into said bore while preventing relative rotation between said fastener and said headpiece; and a locking element which mechanically affixes said headpiece and said fastener together when said upper portion is disposed entirely within said bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A modular bone screw system for use with a longitudinal member comprising: a fastener having an upper portion defining an outer wall having a first mating surface and a threaded lower portion for securing said fastener to a bone; a headpiece having a neck portion defining a bore which defines an inner wall having a second mating surface and a connector for retaining the longitudinal member; said first and second mating surfaces of said walls include means for sliding engagement of said fastener and said headpiece upon insertion of said upper portion into said bore while preventing relative rotation between said fastener and said headpiece; and a locking element which mechanically affixes said headpiece and said fastener together when said upper portion is disposed entirely within said bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said upper portion of said fastener is frusto-conical in shape and wherein said second mating surface of said headpiece is adapted to correspondingly mate with said frusto-conical shape of said upper portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said fastener includes a shoulder located between said upper and lower portions of said fastener for limiting the depth that said upper portion of said fastener can be inserted into said bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said fastener contains a through bore thereby allowing said fastener to be cannulated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said headpiece includes an aperture adapted to receive a screw and said upper portion of said fastener defines a threaded internal bore for engaging said screw whereby said headpiece and said fastener are secured together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The modular bone screw system of claim 1 wherein: said headpiece defines a centerline through said bore and includes a projection extending outwardly from said neck portion at an angle relative to said centerline, said projection terminating in said connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said upper portion of said fastener is frusto-conical in shape and wherein said second mating surface of said headpiece is shaped to correspondingly mate with said frusto-conical shape of said upper portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said upper portion of said fastener includes a fluted outer surface and said second mating surface of said headpiece is a fluted surface to correspondingly mate with said fluted outer surface of said upper portion of said fastener.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said projection is angulated with respect to said centerline at an angle in the range of about 5° to 45°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said fastener contains a through bore thereby allowing said fastener to be cannulated and a shoulder which is located between said upper and lower portions of said fastener for limiting the depth that said upper portion of said fastener can be inserted into said bore.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said headpiece includes an aperture adapted to receive a screw and said upper portion of said fastener defines a threaded internal bore for engaging said screw whereby said headpiece and said fastener are secured together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The modular bone screw system of claim 1 wherein: said headpiece defines a centerline through said bore and includes a lateral section extending outwardly from said neck portion at an angle perpendicular to said center line, said lateral section terminating in said connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said upper portion of said fastener is frusto-conical in shape and wherein said second mating surface of said headpiece is shaped to correspondingly mate with said frusto-conical shape of said upper portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the length of said lateral section is in the range of about 5 millimeters to 3 centimeters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said fastener contains a through bore thereby allowing said fastener to be cannulated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said headpiece includes an aperture adapted to receive a screw and said upper portion of said fastener defines a threaded internal bore for engaging said screw whereby said headpiece and said fastener are secured together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said upper portion of said fastener includes a fluted outer surface and said second mating surface of said headpiece is a fluted surface to correspondingly mate with said fluted outer surface of said upper portion of said fastener.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The modular bone screw of claim 1 wherein: said headpiece defines a centerline through said bore and a horizontal axis perpendicular to said centerline and includes a lateral projection extending outwardly from said neck and terminating in said connector, said lateral projection being angulated relative to said horizontal axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said projection is angulated with respect to a horizontal line defined by said neck at an angle in the range of 2° to 45° and the length of said lateral section is in the range of about 5 millimeters to 3 centimeters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said upper portion of said fastener is frusto-conical in shape and said second mating surface of said headpiece is shaped to correspondingly mate with said frusto-conical shape of said upper portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said upper portion of said fastener includes a fluted outer surface and said second mating surface of said headpiece is a fluted surface to correspondingly mate with said fluted outer surface of said upper portion of said fastener.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said fastener includes a shoulder located between said upper and lower portions of said fastener for limiting the depth that said upper portion of said fastener can be inserted into said bore.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said headpiece includes an aperture adapted to receive a screw and said upper portion of said fastener defines a threaded internal bore for engaging said screw whereby said headpiece and said fastener are secured together.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 in which the longitudinal member has an opening defined therethrough, and wherein said connector includes an elongated shank configured to extend through the opening in the longitudinal member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said upper portion of said fastener includes a fluted outer surface and said second mating surface of said headpiece is a fluted surface to correspondingly mate with said fluted outer surface of said upper portion of said fastener.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said connector defines an aperture sized to receive the longitudinal member therethrough.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for connecting a longitudinal member to a bone, comprising: a bone engaging fastener having an upper portion defining a threaded internal bore and a lower portion configured for engaging the bone; a headpiece defining a bore for receiving said upper portion of said fastener therein and including a connector configured for retaining the longitudinal member; means between said upper portion of said fastener and said bore of said headpiece for preventing relative rotation therebetween; and a locking element extendable into said bore and having a threaded portion for threaded engagement with said threaded internal bore of said fastener, and an enlarged head for bearing against said headpiece as said threaded portion is threaded into said internal bore.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for connecting a longitudinal member to a bone, comprising: a bone engaging fastener having an upper portion defining a threaded internal bore and a lower portion configured for engaging the bone; a headpiece defining a bore for receiving said upper portion of said fastener therein and including a connector configured for retaining the longitudinal member; means between said upper portion of said fastener and said bore of said headpiece for preventing relative rotation therebetween; and a locking element extendable into said bore and having a threaded portion for threaded engagement with said threaded internal bore of said fastener, and an enlarged head for bearing against said headpiece as said threaded portion is threaded into said internal bore.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said upper portion of said fastener and said bore of said headpiece define mating surfaces configured for sliding engagement between said upper portion and said bore along an axis of said bore.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus according to claim 28,wherein said mating surfaces are fluted surfaces.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said mating surfaces are frusto-conical surfaces.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said frusto-conical surfaces define increasing mating diameters that are larger adjacent said lower portion of said bone engaging fastener.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein: said headpiece includes an aperture communicating with said bore, said aperture sized to prevent insertion of said upper portion therethrough; and said locking element is sized to extend through said aperture for engagement with said upper portion of said fastener.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said bone engaging fastener includes a shoulder located between said upper and lower portions thereof, said shoulder sized to prevent insertion of said fastener.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 27 in which the longitudinal member is an elongated rod, wherein said connector defines an aperture sized to receive the elongated rod therethrough.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein: said connector defines a threaded opening intersecting said aperture; and said connector includes a set screw for threaded engagement within said threaded opening to bear against the elongated rod disposed within said aperture.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the longitudinal member is an elongated plate having an opening defined therethrough, wherein said connector includes an elongated shank configured to extend through the opening in the elongated plate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said elongated shank is threaded and said connector includes an internally threaded nut for engaging said shank to clamp the elongated plate to said connector.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said bore of said headpiece defines a centerline therethrough and said elongated shank defines a longitudinal axis along its length that is substantially parallel to said centerline.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said bore of said headpiece defines a centerline therethrough and said elongated shank defines a longitudinal axis along its length that intersects said centerline.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said bore of said headpiece defines a centerline therethrough and said elongated shank defines a longitudinal axis along its length that is angulated with respect to said centerline.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said longitudinal axis is angulated relative to said centerline at an angle of between about 5° and 45°.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said headpiece includes an elongated section between said bore and said connector.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said bore defines a centerline therethrough and said elongated section defines an axis along its length that is substantially perpendicular to said centerline.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said bore defines a centerline therethrough, said headpiece defines a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to said centerline, and said elongated section defines an axis along its length that is angulated relative to said horizontal axis.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said axis of said elongated section is angulated above said horizontal axis in relation to said bone engaging fastener when said upper portion of said fastener is disposed within said bore.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said axis of said elongated section is angulated below said horizontal axis in relation to said bone engaging fastener when said upper portion of said fastener is disposed within said bore.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said axis of said elongated section is angulated at an angle of between about 2° and 45°.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said elongated section has a length of between about 0.5 cm. and 3.0 cm.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said lower portion of said fastener includes bone engaging threads.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |