Offset rods, offset rod connectors, and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10492835-B2
Application number	US-201615382837-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 19, 2016
Priority date	Dec 19, 2016
Publication date	Dec 3, 2019
Grant date	Dec 3, 2019

Abstract

Devices and methods that allow a rod to be offset in a relatively small amount of space are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, first and second offset rods can be joined by a plate-type connector having a reduced thickness suitable for insertion into a small space, e.g., between adjacent bone anchors. In some embodiments, first and second offset rods can be joined by a curved connector that conforms to adjacent bone anchors and likewise has a reduced thickness.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A spinal implant connector, comprising:
a superior surface;
an inferior surface;
a central portion;
first and second lateral portions on opposite sides of the central portion;
a first drive interface formed in the superior surface and in the first lateral portion;
a first rod recess formed in the superior surface and in the second lateral portion;
a second rod recess formed in the inferior surface and in the first lateral portion; and
a second drive interface formed in the inferior surface and in the second lateral portion,
wherein the connector is S-shaped.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first and second recesses are threaded.

3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first and second rod recesses are welded, keyed, pinned, snap-fitted, or interference-fitted to first and second rods disposed therein.

4. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector provides a relief for an adjacent bone anchor.

5. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the central portion has a thickness between the superior and inferior surfaces that is less than a thickness of the first lateral portion between the superior and inferior surfaces and less than a thickness of the second lateral portion between the superior and inferior surfaces.

6. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first and second drive interfaces are formed in respective convex portions of the superior and inferior surfaces.

7. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the superior surface includes a convex portion in which the first drive interface is formed, a planar portion in which the first rod recess is formed, and a curved portion connecting the convex portion and the planar portion.

8. The connector of claim 7 , wherein the inferior surface includes a convex portion in which the second drive interface is formed, a planar portion in which the second rod recess is formed, and a curved portion connecting the convex portion and the planar portion.

9. A surgical method, comprising:
implanting a first bone anchor in a first vertebra of a spine of a patient;
implanting a second bone anchor in a second vertebra of the spine; and
positioning a connector such that:
a first rod extending from the connector is seated in the first bone anchor;
a second rod extending from the connector is seated in the second bone anchor;
a superior surface of the connector contacts an inferior surface of the first bone anchor; and
an inferior surface of the connector contacts a superior surface of the second bone anchor.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the superior surface of the connector conforms to the first bone anchor and the inferior surface of the connector conforms to the second bone anchor.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the superior surface of the connector provides a relief to the first bone anchor and the inferior surface of the connector provides a relief to the second bone anchor.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and second bone anchors are positioned on the same side of the midline of the spine.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and second vertebrae are adjacent.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first and second vertebrae are cervical vertebrae.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first vertebra is C6 and the second vertebra is C7.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first vertebra is C6 and the second vertebra is T1.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first vertebra is C7 and the second vertebra is T1.

18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the superior surface extends around at least 90 degrees of the perimeter of a head of the first bone anchor.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the inferior surface extends around at least 90 degrees of the perimeter of a head of the second bone anchor.

20. The method of claim 9 , wherein positioning the connector comprises threading the first rod into a first recess in the connector and applying torque to a first drive interface of the connector to tighten the first rod to the connector.

21. The method of claim 9 , wherein positioning the connector comprises attaching the first and second rods to the connector, the first and second rods having different diameters.

22. A spinal implant connector, comprising:
a superior surface;
an inferior surface;
a rigid central portion;
first and second lateral portions on opposite sides of the central portion;
a first drive interface formed in the superior surface and in the first lateral portion;
a first rod recess formed in the superior surface and in the second lateral portion;
a second rod recess formed in the inferior surface and in the first lateral portion; and
a second drive interface formed in the inferior surface and in the second lateral portion,
wherein the central portion has a thickness between the superior and inferior surfaces that is less than a thickness of the first lateral portion between the superior and inferior surfaces and less than a thickness of the second lateral portion between the superior and inferior surfaces.

23. The connector of claim 22 , wherein the first and second recesses are threaded.

24. The connector of claim 22 , wherein the first and second rod recesses are welded, keyed, pinned, snap-fitted, or interference-fitted to first and second rods disposed therein.

25. The connector of claim 22 , wherein the connector is S-shaped.

26. The connector of claim 22 , wherein the connector provides a relief for an adjacent bone anchor.

27. The connector of claim 22 , wherein the first and second drive interfaces are formed in respective convex portions of the superior and inferior surfaces.

28. The connector of claim 22 , wherein the superior surface includes a convex portion in which the first drive interface is formed, a planar portion in which the first rod recess is formed, and a curved portion connecting the convex portion and the planar portion.

29. The connector of claim 28 , wherein the inferior surface includes a convex portion in which the second drive interface is formed, a planar portion in which the second rod recess is formed, and a curved portion connecting the convex portion and the planar portion.

Assignees

• Medos Int Sarl

Inventors

• Lee Kevin
• Johnston Ben
• Spratt Frank
• Jacobs Samuel

Classifications

• A61B17/7011

  Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched (adjustable length longitudinal elements A61B17/7014; A61B17/7019 takes precedence, e.g. coil springs) · CPC title

• A61B17/705 Primary

  for linking adjacent ends of longitudinal elements · CPC title

• A61B17/7032

  Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass · CPC title

• A61B17/7082

  for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws · CPC title