US7022122B2 — Device for connecting a longitudinal bar to a ped…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 178 words

A spinal fixation system comprising: a longitudinal member positionable along a spinal column; a fastener having a head, the fastener being configured and dimensioned for engaging vertebrae; and a connector for coupling the fastener and longitudinal member comprising: a body having a through hole extending from a top surface to a bottom surface, and a first opening in a side surface for receiving the longitudinal member; a collet chuck with at least a portion slideably received in the through hole of the body, the collet chuck having internal threads and having a second opening for receiving the longitudinal member, the second opening being alignable with the first opening, and a plurality of resilient tongues defining a chamber for receiving the fastener head therein; and a locking element threadably associated with the internal threads of the collet chuck for releasably locking movement of the longitudinal member with respect to the collet chuck; wherein engagement of the body with the tongues of the collet chuck permits inward movement of the tongues to secure the fastener at a surgeon selected angle.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 178 words

A spinal fixation system comprising: a longitudinal member positionable along a spinal column; a fastener having a head, the fastener being configured and dimensioned for engaging vertebrae; and a connector for coupling the fastener and longitudinal member comprising: a body having a through hole extending from a top surface to a bottom surface, and a first opening in a side surface for receiving the longitudinal member; a collet chuck with at least a portion slideably received in the through hole of the body, the collet chuck having internal threads and having a second opening for receiving the longitudinal member, the second opening being alignable with the first opening, and a plurality of resilient tongues defining a chamber for receiving the fastener head therein; and a locking element threadably associated with the internal threads of the collet chuck for releasably locking movement of the longitudinal member with respect to the collet chuck; wherein engagement of the body with the tongues of the collet chuck permits inward movement of the tongues to secure the fastener at a surgeon selected angle.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 1 wherein the chamber has a substantially spherical shape.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 2 wherein the fastener head has a substantially spherical shape.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 1 wherein the tongues comprise grooves or ribs for securing the fastener head in the chamber.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 1 wherein the fastener head comprises grooves or ribs for securing the fastener head in the chamber.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 1 wherein the locking element comprises a set screw, and threading of the set screw with the internal threads of the collet chuck permits contact between the set screw and longitudinal member for releasably locking movement of the longitudinal member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 1 wherein the internal threads are provided in an upper portion of the collet chuck.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 1 wherein the body and collet chuck are disposed about a central axis.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 34 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 1 wherein the collet chuck has upper and lower ends and a third opening extending through the ends, with the internal threads being disposed in the third opening.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 1 wherein the collet chuck has a third opening extending through an upper end thereof and communicating with the chamber, with the internal threads being disposed in the third opening.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 205 words

A spinal fixation system comprising: a longitudinal member positionable along a spinal column; a fastener having a head and a threaded end for engaging a vertebra; and a connector for connecting the fastener and the longitudinal member comprising: a body having top, bottom, and side surfaces, a first opening in the side surface for receiving the longitudinal member, and a second opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; a collet chuck configured and dimensioned to be slideably received in the second opening of the body and having upper and lower ends, a third opening in the upper end with internal threading, a fourth opening alignable with the first opening of the body for receiving the longitudinal member, a plurality of resilient tongues, and a chamber defined by the tongues configured and dimensioned to receive the fastener head; and a threaded locking element for releasably fixing movement of the longitudinal member with respect to the first and fourth openings, wherein flexing of the tongues permits the fastener head to be received and retained in the chamber, and threading of the locking element with the internal threading of the collet chuck causes translation of the collet chuck and body with respect to each other.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 205 words

A spinal fixation system comprising: a longitudinal member positionable along a spinal column; a fastener having a head and a threaded end for engaging a vertebra; and a connector for connecting the fastener and the longitudinal member comprising: a body having top, bottom, and side surfaces, a first opening in the side surface for receiving the longitudinal member, and a second opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; a collet chuck configured and dimensioned to be slideably received in the second opening of the body and having upper and lower ends, a third opening in the upper end with internal threading, a fourth opening alignable with the first opening of the body for receiving the longitudinal member, a plurality of resilient tongues, and a chamber defined by the tongues configured and dimensioned to receive the fastener head; and a threaded locking element for releasably fixing movement of the longitudinal member with respect to the first and fourth openings, wherein flexing of the tongues permits the fastener head to be received and retained in the chamber, and threading of the locking element with the internal threading of the collet chuck causes translation of the collet chuck and body with respect to each other.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The spinal fixation system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the tongues and fastener head are provided with grooves or ribs.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 215 words

A spinal fixation system comprising: a spinal rod positionable along a spinal column; a bone fastener having a head and a threaded end portion for engaging a vertebra; and a connector for coupling the bone fastener to the spinal rod, the connector including: a first member having a first end, a second end, a through hole extending therebetween, and a first rod receiving channel; a second member at least partially slidably received in the through hole of the first member, the second member includes a top end, a second rod receiving channel substantially aligned with the first rod receiving channel when the second member is partially disposed within the first member, and a resilient bottom end defining a chamber for receiving the head of the bone fastener; and securing means associated with the top end of the second member for releasably fixing the position of the spinal rod with respect to the second member and for moving the second member with respect to the first member without the securing means directly engaging the first member; wherein movement of the second member with respect to the first member causes the inward movement of the bottom end of the second member so that the position of the bone fastener is fixed with respect to the second member.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 215 words

A spinal fixation system comprising: a spinal rod positionable along a spinal column; a bone fastener having a head and a threaded end portion for engaging a vertebra; and a connector for coupling the bone fastener to the spinal rod, the connector including: a first member having a first end, a second end, a through hole extending therebetween, and a first rod receiving channel; a second member at least partially slidably received in the through hole of the first member, the second member includes a top end, a second rod receiving channel substantially aligned with the first rod receiving channel when the second member is partially disposed within the first member, and a resilient bottom end defining a chamber for receiving the head of the bone fastener; and securing means associated with the top end of the second member for releasably fixing the position of the spinal rod with respect to the second member and for moving the second member with respect to the first member without the securing means directly engaging the first member; wherein movement of the second member with respect to the first member causes the inward movement of the bottom end of the second member so that the position of the bone fastener is fixed with respect to the second member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 40 words

The system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second members are each in the form of a hollow cylinder, the first and second members being coaxially arranged so that the second member can slide within the first member.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 13 , wherein the through hole of the first member defines a central axis and the first and second rod-receiving channels are substantially transverse to the central axis.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 13 , wherein the second member is pressed-fit within the through hole of the first member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second members are rotationally locked with respect to one another.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 13 , wherein the bottom end of the second member includes at least one slot rendering the bottom end resilient so that the head of the bone fastener can be snap-fitted into the chamber.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 13 , wherein the securing means includes an externally threaded set screw.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system of claim 13 , wherein the chamber has a substantially spherical shape sized and configured to mate with the head of the bone fastener which has a corresponding substantially spherical shape.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 20 , wherein the chamber and the head have a roughened surface for securing the head in the chamber.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2009-04-03	2009-10-03	2010-04-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2013-04-03	2013-10-03	2014-04-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2017-04-03	2017-10-03	2018-04-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Device for connecting a longitudinal bar to a pedicle screw

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