Adjustable-angle spinal fixation element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9974572-B2
Application number	US-201615299002-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 20, 2016
Priority date	Mar 31, 2004
Publication date	May 22, 2018
Grant date	May 22, 2018

Abstract

A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A spinal fixation system, comprising:
a spinal fixation device comprising:
a first elongate member;
a second elongate member; and
a pivot joint movably coupling the first and second elongate members, the pivot joint comprising:
a first connector of the first elongate member and a second connector of the second elongate member, the first connector and the second connector being pivotally connected;
a pin that extends through each of the first and second connectors, the pin having a central axis about which at least one of the first and second connectors rotates and which extends perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the first and second elongate members; and
a threaded locking screw received in the pivot joint to restrict relative movement between the first and second elongate members,

wherein the first and second elongate members are biocompatible, internally implantable spinal rods; and

a plurality of spinal anchors adapted to mate to at least one of the first and second elongate members.

2. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein relative movement between the first and second elongate members is limited to angular adjustment in a single plane.

3. The spinal fixation system of claim 2 , wherein the threaded locking screw is advanced into the pivot joint along an axis that lies in the single plane.

4. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein the pin is fixedly coupled to the first connector and the second connector is free to rotate about the pin.

5. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes opposed arms and the second connector is received therebetween.

6. The spinal fixation system of claim 5 , wherein second connector includes a slot extending through the second connector such that the second connector is in the form of a clamp, and wherein the locking screw is configured to engage the second connector to clamp the pin within the slot.

7. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second connectors includes a threaded through-bore for receiving the threaded locking screw to apply a force to the other of the first and second connectors to restrict relative movement between the first and second elongate members.

8. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is rotatable about the pin and relative to the second connector to adjust an angular position of the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member.

9. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein the locking screw is configured to engage the second connector to clamp the second connector onto the pin and prevent the second connector from rotating relative to the pin.

10. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein the locking screw is configured to be advanced into a receiving bore formed in the second connector to engage the second connector.

11. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate members are angularly adjustable relative to one another only in a single plane and wherein the locking screw is configured to engage the first or second connector by advancing the locking screw relative to the first or second connector along an axis that is substantially parallel to the single plane.

12. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spinal anchors includes a plate adapted to mate to one of the first and second elongate members and a screw adapted to mate to the other of the first and second elongate members.

13. The spinal fixation system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spinal anchors includes at least one of a hook, a screw, a bolt, a plate, and a wire.

14. A spinal fixation system, comprising:
at least one bone plate;
at least one bone anchor; and
at least one spinal fixation device, comprising:
first and second elongate members each adapted to mate to the at least one bone plate or the at least one bone anchor, and
a pivot joint, comprising:
a first connector integrally formed on a terminal end of the first elongate member;
a second connector integrally formed on a terminal end of the second elongate member;
the first and second connectors being pivotally coupled to one another such that the first and second elongate members are angularly adjustable relative to one another in a single plane;
a pin extending through one of the first and second connectors and rotatable relative thereto; and
a fastening screw configured to extend into one of the connectors along an axis that lies in the single plane to lock the first and second elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another,

wherein the first and second elongate members are biocompatible, internally implantable spinal rods.

15. The spinal fixation system of claim 14 , wherein the fastening screw is configured to be advanced into a receiving bore formed in the one of the connectors.

16. The spinal fixation system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one bone anchor comprises a bone hook or a bone screw.

17. The spinal fixation system of claim 14 , further comprising an insertion tool for installing a component of the system.

18. The spinal fixation system of claim 14 , further comprising a driver tool for tightening the fastening screw.

19. A spinal fixation system, comprising:
a spinal plate;
an anchoring device; and
an adjustable-angle spinal fixation device configured to be mated to the spinal plate and the anchoring device, the adjustable-angle spinal fixation device comprising:
a first elongate member;
a second elongate member; and
a pivot joint movably coupling the first and second elongate members, the pivot joint comprising:
a first connector of the first elongate member and a second connector of the second elongate member, the first connector and the second connector being pivotally connected;
a pin that extends through the first and second connectors, the pin having a central axis about which the first connector can rotate relative to the pin, and the pin being fixed relative to the second connector; and
a locking screw received in the pivot joint and configured to contact the pin to restrict rotation of the first connector relative to the pin,

wherein the first and second elongate members are biocompatible, internally implantable spinal rods.

20. The spinal fixation system of claim 19 , wherein the anchoring device is a hook or a screw.

Assignees

• Medos Int Sarl

Inventors

• Boomer Mark C
• Murphy Raymond F
• Jones Bryan S

Classifications

• A61B17/7013 Primary

  the shape of the element being adjustable before use (adjustable length plates A61B17/7014) · CPC title

• A61B17/705

  for linking adjacent ends of longitudinal elements · CPC title

• A61B17/7002

  Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods · CPC title

• A61B17/7052 Primary

  of variable angle or length · CPC title

• A61B17/7055

  connected to sacrum, pelvis or skull · CPC title