Elastic member clamps

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10548644-B2
Application number	US-201313785487-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 5, 2013
Priority date	Mar 5, 2013
Publication date	Feb 4, 2020
Grant date	Feb 4, 2020

Abstract

The present application generally relates to orthopedic stabilization systems, and in particular, to systems including clamps. The clamps can be used in addition to or to replace hooks that grasp onto bone members, such as the lamina. One example of such a clamp is an in-line clamp that includes a central opening for receiving a rod member, a first opening for receiving a set screw and a second opening for receiving an elastic member therethrough. Another example of such a clamp is an off-set clamp that includes an upper plate, a bottom plate, and an opening for receiving a rod therein. The upper plate can be separated from the bottom plate to make space for an elastic member that can be secured within the plates. Tulip clamps that utilize one or more elastic members are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A spinal system comprising:
a clamp for receiving an elongate rod therein, wherein the clamp comprises an inner opening for receiving the elongate rod, a first opening in communication with the inner opening, and a second opening in communication with the inner opening;
a fastener received in the first opening of the clamp;
a bushing positioned at a distal end of the fastener;
an elastic member received in the second opening of the clamp, wherein the second opening runs through a vertical mid-plane of the clamp, wherein the elastic member is configured to be in contact with a distal end of the fastener; and
wherein the fastener comprises an extension member that is configured to extend through a central channel of the bushing, wherein a tip of the extension member directly contacts a portion of the elastic member,
wherein the vertical mid-plane of the clamp, extending along a longitudinal axis of the elongate rod, is aligned and extends along a mid-plane vertical axis of the inner opening, and
wherein the elongate rod is inserted into the clamp along the vertical mid-plane of the clamp.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the inner opening is formed by an inner curved wall of the clamp.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the inner curved wall of the clamp includes a groove for receiving the elastic member.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bushing is positioned at a distal end of the fastener, wherein the fastener and the bushing are integrally formed.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bushing comprises a curved surface for contacting the elastic member.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elastic member comprises an elastic band.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is generally aligned with the inner opening.

8. A spinal system comprising:
a clamp for receiving an elongate rod therein, wherein the clamp comprises an inner opening for receiving the elongate rod, a first opening in communication with the inner opening, a second opening in communication with the inner opening, a third opening in communication with the inner opening, and a fourth opening in communication with the inner opening;
a fastener received in the first opening of the clamp;
a bushing positioned at a distal end of the fastener, wherein the bushing includes a central channel for receiving an extension member of the fastener; and
an elastic member received in the second opening of the clamp, wherein the second opening runs through a vertical mid-plane of the clamp,
wherein the elastic member is configured to be in contact with the elongate rod received in the clamp,
wherein the fastener comprises an extension member that is configured to extend through the central channel of the bushing, wherein a tip of the extension member directly contacts a portion of the elastic member,
wherein the vertical mid-plane of the clamp, extending along a longitudinal axis of the elongate rod, is aligned and extends along a mid-plane vertical axis of the inner opening, and
wherein the elongate rod is inserted into the clamp along the vertical mid-plane of the clamp.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the inner opening of the clamp downwardly faces the elongate rod such that the elongate rod is bottom-loaded into the clamp.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the inner opening includes a groove for receiving the elastic member therein.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the elastic member extends through the third opening and the fourth opening.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the elastic member comprises an elastic band having a width of at least 4 mm.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the third and fourth openings are angled in different directions relative to the second opening.

14. A spinal system comprising:
a clamp for receiving an elongate rod therein, wherein the clamp comprises an inner opening for receiving the elongate rod, a first opening in communication with the inner opening, and a second opening in communication with the inner opening;
a fastener received in the first opening of the clamp;
a bushing in contact with a distal end of the fastener; and
an elastic member received in the second opening of the clamp, wherein the second opening runs through a vertical mid-plane of the clamp, wherein the elastic member is configured to be in contact with the elongate rod received in the clamp and configured to be in contact with the bushing,
wherein the bushing includes a central channel, wherein an extension member of the fastener is configured to extend through the central channel of the bushing to contact a portion of the elastic member,
wherein the vertical mid-plane of the clamp, extending along a longitudinal axis of the elongate rod, is aligned and extends along a mid-plane vertical axis of the inner opening, and
wherein the elongate rod is inserted into the clamp along the vertical mid-plane of the clamp.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the bushing comprises a curved contact surface.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the clamp further comprise a third opening for passing at least a portion of the elastic member therethrough.

Assignees

• Globus Medical Inc

Inventors

• George Milan
• Palmer Rory

Classifications

• A61B17/7049

  Connectors, not bearing on the vertebrae, for linking longitudinal elements together (A61B17/7055, A61B17/7053, A61B17/7019 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61B17/7053 Primary

  with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables · CPC title