US6454773B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-angle bone screw assembly using shape-memory technology
Assignee: SDGI Holdings Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-31
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Granted: 2002-09-24
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Expires: 2021-08-31
Abstract
Abstract In one embodiment, a spinal fixation assembly includes an elongated member, such as a spinal rod, configured for placement adjacent the spine and a bone engaging fastener, such as a bone screw having a lower portion configured for engaging a vertebra and a head that is at least partially spherical. The assembly further includes a receiver member defining a bore therethrough from a top end to a bottom end, a recess for receiving the head of the bone screwing fastener therein, and a lower opening at said bottom end of the receiver member through which the bone screw extends. The recess is configured to at permit pivoting of the bone screw within the receiver member until the head is fixed within the recess. The receiver member also includes a channel communicating with the bore and having an upper opening at the top end of the receiver member for insertion of the spinal rod into the channel. In one embodiment, two compression members are provided, each being formed of a temperature responsive material and having a first configuration at a first temperature and a different second configuration at a different second temperature in which the compression member contracts about a portion of the receiver member to thereby compress the receiver member about both the head of the bone screw within the recess and the spinal rod within the channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael C. Sherman
- 👤 Troy Drewry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7035; A61B17/7037; A61B17/7032; A61B17/7038; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/909; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A device for connecting members, comprising: a receiver element including an axial passage adapted to receive portions of the members therein, one of the members transversely intersecting said axial passage; and at least one shape-memory element cooperating with said receiver element to engage said receiver element against each of the members when said at least one shape-memory element is transitioned toward a memorized configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A device for connecting members, comprising: a receiver element including an axial passage adapted to receive portions of the members therein, one of the members transversely intersecting said axial passage; and at least one shape-memory element cooperating with said receiver element to engage said receiver element against each of the members when said at least one shape-memory element is transitioned toward a memorized configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said receiver element has a substantially cylindrical configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said axial passage extends between opposite ends of said receiver element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 3 , wherein one of said at least one shape-memory element is disposed adjacent a respective one of each of said opposite ends of said receiver element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said receiver element includes a channel transversely intersecting said axial passage, said one of the members being disposed within said channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 4 , wherein said channel opens onto an end of said receiver element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one shape-memory element is transitioned toward said memorized configuration in response to a corresponding change in temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one shape-memory element is at least partially formed of a shape-memory material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein said at least one shape-memory element is entirely formed of said shape-memory material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said one of said members is a bone engaging fastener and another of the members is an elongate rod.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for connecting members, comprising: a receiver element adapted to receive portions of the members and to allow arrangement of one of the members at a variable angular orientation relative thereto; and at least one shape-memory element cooperating with said receiver element to engage said receiver element against each of the members and to secure said one of the members at a specific angular orientation relative to said receiver element when said at least one shape-memory element is transitioned toward a memorized configuration.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for connecting members, comprising: a receiver element adapted to receive portions of the members and to allow arrangement of one of the members at a variable angular orientation relative thereto; and at least one shape-memory element cooperating with said receiver element to engage said receiver element against each of the members and to secure said one of the members at a specific angular orientation relative to said receiver element when said at least one shape-memory element is transitioned toward a memorized configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 11 , wherein said receiver element defines a passage, said one of the members including an at least partially spherical portion disposed within said passage to allow said arrangement of said one of the members at said variable angular orientation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 12 , wherein said passage includes an annular recess, said annular recess being sized to receive at least a portion of said at least partially spherical portion therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein one of said at least one shape-memory element is disposed laterally adjacent said annular recess.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 14 , wherein said one of said members is a bone engaging fastener.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein another of said members is an elongate rod.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 11 , wherein said receiver element has a substantially cylindrical configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 11 , wherein said at least one shape-memory element is at least partially formed of a shape-memory material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein said at least one shape-memory element is entirely formed of said shape-memory material.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
67 words
A device for connecting members, comprising: means for receiving the members, said means for receiving including means for arranging one of the members at a variable angular orientation relative to said means for receiving; and shape-memory means for engaging said means for receiving against each of the members and for securing said one of the members at a specific angular orientation relative to said means for receiving.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
67 words
A device for connecting members, comprising: means for receiving the members, said means for receiving including means for arranging one of the members at a variable angular orientation relative to said means for receiving; and shape-memory means for engaging said means for receiving against each of the members and for securing said one of the members at a specific angular orientation relative to said means for receiving.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for connecting members, comprising: a receiver element including an axial passage adapted to receive portions of the members therein and to arrange the members in a transverse relationship relative to one another; and at least one shape-memory element cooperating with said receiver element to engage said receiver element against each of the members when said at least one shape-memory element is transitioned toward a memorized configuration to secure said members in said transverse relationship.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for connecting members, comprising: a receiver element including an axial passage adapted to receive portions of the members therein and to arrange the members in a transverse relationship relative to one another; and at least one shape-memory element cooperating with said receiver element to engage said receiver element against each of the members when said at least one shape-memory element is transitioned toward a memorized configuration to secure said members in said transverse relationship.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 21 , wherein said receiver element has a substantially cylindrical configuration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 21 , wherein one of said at least one shape-memory element is disposed adjacent a respective one of each of said opposite ends of said receiver element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device of claim 21 , wherein said receiver element is adapted to allow arrangement of one of the members at a variable angular orientation relative thereto; and wherein said at least one shape-memory element cooperates with said receiver element to secure said one of the members at a specific angular orientation relative to said receiver element when said at least one shape-memory element is transitioned toward said memorized configuration.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 24 , wherein said one of the members includes an at least partially spherical portion disposed to allow said arrangement of said one of the members at said variable angular orientation.
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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) | 2005-09-23 | 2006-03-25 | 2006-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | 2010-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-23 | 2014-03-25 | 2014-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |