IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0371317
(2003-02-20)
|
등록번호 |
US-7763047
(2010-08-13)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
323 |
초록
▼
A low-profile rod connector is disclosed that includes two substantially conical surfaces that allows two rods to be secured together. The device is easily manipulated and occupies very little space. The connector allows for the rods to be oriented at a number of different positions prior to securin
A low-profile rod connector is disclosed that includes two substantially conical surfaces that allows two rods to be secured together. The device is easily manipulated and occupies very little space. The connector allows for the rods to be oriented at a number of different positions prior to securing the rods in a final orientation. Medical implants utilizing the present invention include surgical implants for spine stabilization. One particular application comprises securing the shaft of a pedicle screw to a spinal rod. In such application, since the connector is relatively small, displacement and disruption to nearby tissue is minimized. The connector also has application to external fixation systems which are conducted exterior of the skin surface, as well as other mechanical devices.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A connector for securing together two rods, comprising: (a) a body including: a first substantially truncated conical surface having a slit comprising an open arc in the first substantially truncated conical surface, the slit passing through said first substantially truncated
What is claimed is: 1. A connector for securing together two rods, comprising: (a) a body including: a first substantially truncated conical surface having a slit comprising an open arc in the first substantially truncated conical surface, the slit passing through said first substantially truncated conical surface, and opposing joining sections adjacent said slit; a first receptacle comprising a rod band for receiving a first of said two rods, the first rod band comprising a first rod band fitting; a second receptacle for receiving a second of said two rods; a second substantially truncated conical surface in at least partial contact with said first substantially truncated conical surface; and (b) a means for urging said opposing joining sections toward each other; wherein a diameter of said first substantially truncated conical surface decreases upon operating the means for urging said opposing joining sections toward each other causing said first substantially truncated conical surface to act against said second substantially truncated conical surface to tighten the first and second receptacles, and wherein said two rods are interlocked by said connector upon urging said opposing joining sections toward each other. 2. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body is of two-piece construction. 3. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for forcing comprises a tightening screw. 4. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first substantially truncated conical surface has an angle of between about 20 and 60 degrees. 5. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first substantially truncated conical surface has an angle of between about 30 and 45 degrees. 6. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second receptacle comprises a rod band. 7. The connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rod band comprises a second rod band fitting. 8. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first receptacle is adapted for receiving a shank of a pedicle screw. 9. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second receptacle is adapted for receiving a spinal stabilizing rod. 10. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first receptacle is threaded to said second receptacle. 11. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first receptacle further comprises surface texturing. 12. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second receptacle further comprises surface texturing. 13. A connector for securing two rods, comprising: (a) a first member including a first receptacle for receiving a first of said two rods, a first substantially truncated conical surface having a slit, the slit passing through said first substantially truncated conical surface, and opposing joining sections adjacent said slit; (b) a second member including a second receptacle for receiving a second of said two rods, a second substantially truncated conical surface at least partially contacting said first substantially truncated conical surface, said second member connected to said first member; (c) means for urging said opposing joining sections together; wherein a diameter of said first substantially truncated conical surface decreases upon operating the means for urging said opposing joining sections toward each other, and wherein upon forcing said opposing joining sections in closer proximity said second substantially conical surface is forced to move, causing a tension force to be created within said first member and said second member securing said two rods to the connector. 14. The connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for urging comprises a tightening screw. 15. The connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first substantially truncated conical surface has an angle of between about 30 and 45 degrees. 16. The connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first receptacle comprises a band. 17. The connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second receptacle comprises a band. 18. The connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first receptacle is adapted for receiving a shank of a pedicle screw. 19. The connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second receptacle is adapted for receiving a spinal stabilizing rod. 20. The connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first member is threaded to said second member. 21. A connector for securing a rod and a shaft of a pedicle screw, comprising: (a) a first member including an interior substantially truncated conical surface having a first central opening and a slit with adjacent opposing joining sections, said first member further including a first rod band with a portion of said first rod band at least partially disposed through said first central opening; (b) a second member including an exterior substantially truncated conical surface formed for contacting said interior substantially truncated conical surface, said second member including a second central opening and a second rod band at least partially disposed through said second central opening; (c) means for interconnecting said first rod band to said second rod band; and (d) means for forcing said opposing joining sections toward each other; wherein a diameter of said interior substantially truncated conical surface decreases upon operating the means for forcing said opposing joining sections toward each other, and wherein the rod is placed through either said first rod band or said second rod band, and the shaft of the pedicle screw is placed through the remaining of either of said first rod band or said second rod band. 22. The connector as claimed in claim 21, wherein said means for interconnecting comprises a threaded connection. 23. The connector as claimed in claim 21, wherein said means for interconnecting comprises a welded connection. 24. The connector as claimed in claim 21, wherein said means for forcing comprises a threaded screw. 25. The connector as claimed in claim 21, wherein said interior substantially truncated conical surface has an angle of between about 20 and 60 degrees. 26. A method of securing a pedicle screw that has been implanted in a patient to a stabilizing rod, said method comprising: (a) inserting an exposed shaft of the pedicle screw and the stabilizing rod into a connector, the connector comprising separate receptacles for receiving the pedicle screw shaft and the stabilizing rod, the connector further including a first substantially truncated conical surface having a slit and opposing joining sections adjacent to the slit, the connector including a second substantially truncated conical surface at least partially contacting the first substantially truncated conical surface; (b) inserting a tightening screw into openings in the opposing joining sections; and (c) tightening the tightening screw to force the opposing joining sections toward each other; wherein said tightening step decreases a diameter of the first substantially truncated conical surface which pushes against the second substantially truncated conical surface which causes the second substantially truncated conical surface to move, which places a constricting force around the pedicle screw shaft and the stabilizing rod through the receptacles. 27. The method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising the step of rotating said connector. 28. A connector device for attachment to a spinal implant including a rod, comprising: a first truncated conical surface having a slit separating opposing joining sections of said first truncated conical surface; a second truncated conical surface for contacting at least a portion of said first truncated conical surface, said second truncated conical surface in operative association with said first truncated conical surface; at least one band connected to at least one of said first or second truncated conical surfaces, said band for receiving at least a portion of the rod; and a means for at least partially closing the opposing joining sections toward each other; wherein a diameter of said first truncated conical surface decreases upon operating the means for at least partially closing, wherein said first truncated conical surface acts against said second truncated conical surface causing the first substantially truncated conical surface to move, causing the band to tighten around said portion of the rod to secure the connector device to the rod. 29. The connector device as claimed in claim 28, wherein said first truncated conical surface, said second truncated conical surface and said band comprise a plurality of members. 30. The connector device as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a second band for receiving a second rod, said second band connected to at least one of said first or second truncated conical surfaces, wherein said second band secures said second rod upon operating the means for at least partially closing. 31. The connector device as claimed in claim 28, wherein one of said first or second truncated conical surfaces includes a rod integrally connected thereto. 32. The connector device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the rod comprises a shaft of a pedicle screw. 33. A connector device for attachment to a spinal implant including a rod, comprising: a plurality of truncated conical surfaces, at least one of said plurality of truncated conical surfaces comprising a means for decreasing a diameter of said at least one of said plurality of truncated conical surfaces by at least partially closing an open arc in at least one of said plurality of truncated conical surfaces causing a second truncated conical surface to move; a means for engaging at least a portion of the rod, wherein the means for engaging is operatively associated with said plurality of truncated conical surfaces; wherein said plurality of truncated conical surfaces comprises a first truncated conical surface in at least partial contact with a second truncated conical surface; wherein the means for engaging secures the rod to said at least one of said plurality of truncated conical surfaces upon operation of said means for decreasing. 34. The connector device as claimed in claim 33, wherein said plurality of truncated conical surfaces and said means for engaging comprise a plurality of members. 35. The connector device as claimed in claim 33, further comprising a second means for engaging one of a pedicle screw or a second rod, said second means for engaging operatively associated with said plurality of truncated conical surfaces, wherein the second means for engaging secures the second rod or the pedicle screw to said plurality of truncated conical surfaces upon operation of said means for decreasing. 36. The connector device as claimed in claim 33, wherein one of said plurality of truncated conical surfaces includes a rod integrally connected thereto. 37. The connector device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the rod comprises a shaft of a pedicle screw.
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