U.S. patent application number 14/315722 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-31 for transverse connector.
The applicant listed for this patent is Zimmer Spine, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jack A. Dant, Deborah L. Hoch, Eric P. Jerke, Eric J. Lundequam.
Application Number | 20150374414 14/315722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53539492 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150374414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dant; Jack A. ; et
al. |
December 31, 2015 |
TRANSVERSE CONNECTOR
Abstract
A transverse connector for coupling between first and second
elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse
connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly
proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly
proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling
assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of
mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.
Inventors: |
Dant; Jack A.; (St. Paul,
MN) ; Hoch; Deborah L.; (Minneapolis, MN) ;
Jerke; Eric P.; (Bloomington, MN) ; Lundequam; Eric
J.; (Hopkins, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zimmer Spine, Inc. |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53539492 |
Appl. No.: |
14/315722 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/250 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/7073 20130101;
A61B 17/7052 20130101; A61B 17/7049 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/70 20060101
A61B017/70 |
Claims
1. A transverse connector for coupling between first and second
elongate members of a spinal stabilization system, the transverse
connector comprising: a connector arm having a first end portion, a
second end portion and a bridge member extending therebetween, the
first end portion having a first through hole extending from a top
surface to a bottom surface and the second end portion having a
second through hole extending from a top surface to a bottom
surface, wherein the connector arm further includes a first upper
pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface adjacent
to the first through hole, a first lower pair of dovetail grooves
extending along the bottom surface adjacent to the first through
hole, a second upper pair of dovetail grooves extending along the
top surface adjacent to the second through hole, and a second
bottom pair of dovetail grooves extending along the lower surface
adjacent to the second through hole; a first coupling assembly
proximate the first end portion of the connector arm, the first
coupling assembly comprising: a first sleeve having a top surface,
a bottom surface, an aperture extending between the top surface and
the bottom surface, and a pair of dovetail grooves extending along
the top surface configured to slidably engage the first lower pair
of dovetail grooves of the connector arm; a first insert extending
through the first through hole, the first insert having a first end
region and a second end region; and a first locking mechanism
coupled to the first insert and having a dovetail groove extending
around a perimeter of a lower portion thereof configured to
slidably engage the first upper pair of dovetail grooves of the
connector arm; a second coupling assembly proximate the second end
portion of the connector arm, the second coupling assembly
comprising: a second sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface,
an aperture extending between the top surface and the bottom
surface, and a pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top
surface configured to slidably engage the second lower pair of
dovetail grooves of the connector arm; a second insert extending
through the second through hole, the second insert having a first
end region and a second end region; and a second locking mechanism
coupled to the second insert and having a dovetail groove extending
around a perimeter of a lower portion thereof configured to
slidably engage the second upper pair of dovetail grooves of the
connector arm.
2. The transverse connector of claim 1, wherein the first insert is
rotatable in the first through hole through an angle of less than
360.degree. and the second insert is rotatable in the second
through hole through an angle of less than 360.degree..
3. The transverse connector of claim 1, wherein the connector arm
has a longitudinal axis and the first sleeve and the first locking
mechanism are configured to slidingly engage the first lower pair
of dovetail grooves and the first upper pair of dovetail grooves,
respectively, of the connector arm in a first direction generally
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector arm and the
second sleeve and the second locking mechanism are configured to
slidingly engage the second lower pair of dovetail grooves and the
second upper pair of dovetail grooves, respectively, of the
connector arm in a second direction generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the connector arm and opposite the first
direction.
4. The transverse connector of claim 1, wherein first end region of
each of the first and second inserts comprises a threaded
region.
5. The transverse connector of claim 4, wherein each of the first
and second locking mechanisms comprises a threaded through
hole.
6. The transverse connector of claim 5, wherein the first and
second locking mechanisms are configured to threadably engage the
threaded region of the first and second inserts, respectively.
7. The transverse connector of claim 6, wherein rotating either of
the first or second locking mechanisms in a first direction raises
the corresponding insert into the aperture of the sleeve.
8. The transverse connector of claim 7, wherein rotating either of
the first or second locking mechanisms in a second direction,
opposite the first direction, lowers the corresponding insert out
of the aperture of the sleeve.
9. The transverse connector of claim 1, wherein the second end
region of each of the first and second inserts comprises two
deflectable arms.
10. The transverse connector of claim 9, wherein the deflectable
arms of each of the first and second inserts are configured to
engage an elongate member of a spinal stabilization system.
11. A transverse connector for coupling between first and second
elongate members of a spinal stabilization system, the transverse
connector comprising: a connector arm having a first end portion, a
second end portion and a bridge member extending therebetween along
a longitudinal axis, the first end portion having a first through
hole extending from a top surface to a bottom surface and the
second end portion having a second through hole extending from a
top surface to a bottom surface, wherein the connector arm further
includes a first upper pair of dovetail grooves extending along the
top surface adjacent to the first through hole, a first lower pair
of dovetail grooves extending along the bottom surface adjacent to
the first through hole, a second upper pair of dovetail grooves
extending along the top surface adjacent to the second through
hole, and a second lower pair of dovetail grooves extending along
the bottom surface adjacent to the second through hole; a first
coupling assembly proximate the first end portion of the connector
arm, the first coupling assembly comprising: a first sleeve having
a top surface, a bottom surface, an aperture extending between the
top surface and the bottom surface, and a pair of dovetail grooves
extending along the top surface and configured to slidably engage
the first pair of lower dovetail grooves of the connector arm in a
direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
connector arm; a first insert having a first end region and a
second end region, the first insert movably disposed within the
aperture of the first sleeve; and a first locking mechanism having
a dovetail groove extending around a perimeter of a lower portion
thereof and configured to slidably engage the first pair of upper
dovetail grooves of the connector arm in a direction generally
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector arm; a second
coupling assembly proximate the second end portion of the connector
arm, the second coupling assembly comprising: a second sleeve
having a top surface, a bottom surface, an aperture extending
between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a pair of
dovetail grooves extending along the top surface and configured to
slidably engage the second pair of lower dovetail grooves of the
connector arm in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the connector arm; a second insert having a first end
region and a second end region, the second insert movably disposed
within the aperture of the second sleeve; and a second locking
mechanism having a dovetail groove extending around a perimeter of
a lower portion thereof and configured to slidably engage the
second pair of upper dovetail grooves of the connector arm in a
direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
connector arm.
12. The transverse connector of claim 11, wherein first end region
of each of the first and second inserts comprises a threaded region
and the second end region of each of the first and second inserts
comprises two deflectable arms.
13. The transverse connector of claim 12, wherein the deflectable
arms of each of the first and second inserts are configured to
engage an elongate member of a spinal stabilization system.
14. The transverse connector of claim 12, wherein each of the first
and second locking mechanisms comprises a through hole having a
threaded region, the threaded region having a major diameter and a
minor diameter, wherein the minor diameter decreases towards the
lower portion of the locking mechanisms.
15. The transverse connector of claim 14, wherein the first and
second locking mechanisms are configured to threadably engage the
threaded region of the first and second inserts, respectively.
16. The transverse connector of claim 15, wherein rotating either
of the first or second locking mechanisms in a first direction
raises the corresponding insert into the aperture of the
sleeve.
17. The transverse connector of claim 16, wherein rotating either
of the first or second locking mechanisms in a second direction,
opposite the first direction, lowers the corresponding insert out
of the aperture of the sleeve.
18. A spinal stabilization system comprising: a first elongate
member; a second elongate member; a transverse connector extending
between the first elongate member and the second elongate member,
the transverse connector comprising: a connector arm having a first
end portion, a second end portion and a bridge member extending
therebetween, the first end portion having a first through hole
extending from a top surface to a bottom surface and the second end
portion having a second through hole extending from a top surface
to a bottom surface, wherein the connector arm further includes a
first upper pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top
surface adjacent to the first through hole, a first lower pair of
dovetail grooves extending along the bottom surface adjacent to the
first through hole, a second upper pair of dovetail grooves
extending along the top surface adjacent to the second through
hole, a second lower pair of dovetail grooves extending along the
bottom surface adjacent to the second through hole; a first
coupling assembly proximate the first end portion of the connector
arm, the first coupling assembly comprising: a first sleeve having
a top surface, a bottom surface, an aperture extending between the
top surface and the bottom surface, and a pair of dovetail grooves
extending along the top surface slidably engaged with the first
lower pair of dovetail grooves of the connector arm; a first insert
extending through the first through hole, the first insert having a
first threaded end region and a second end region coupled to the
first elongate member; and a first locking mechanism threadably
engaged with the first threaded end region of the first insert, the
first locking mechanism having a dovetail groove extending around a
perimeter of a lower portion thereof engaged with the first upper
pair of dovetail grooves of the connector arm; a second coupling
assembly proximate the second end portion of the connector arm, the
second coupling assembly comprising: a second sleeve having a top
surface, a bottom surface, an aperture extending between the top
surface and the bottom surface, and a pair of dovetail grooves
extending along the top surface slidably engaged with the second
lower pair of dovetail grooves of the connector arm; a second
insert extending through the second through hole, the second insert
having a first threaded end region and a second end region coupled
to the second elongate member; and a second locking mechanism
threadably engaged with the first threaded end region of the second
insert, the second locking mechanism having a dovetail groove
extending around a perimeter of a lower portion thereof engaged
with the second upper pair of dovetail grooves of the connector
arm.
19. The spinal stabilization system of claim 18, wherein the
connector arm has a longitudinal axis and the first sleeve and the
first locking mechanism are configured to slidingly engage the
first lower pair of dovetail grooves and the first upper pair of
dovetail grooves, respectively, of the connector arm in a first
direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
connector arm and the second sleeve and the second locking
mechanism are configured to slidingly engage the second lower pair
of dovetail grooves and the second upper pair of dovetail grooves,
respectively, of the connector arm in a second direction generally
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector arm and opposite
the first direction.
20. The spinal stabilization system of claim 18, wherein the first
insert is rotatable in the first through hole through an angle of
less than 360.degree. and the second insert is rotatable in the
second through hole through an angle of less than 360.degree..
Description
[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure is directed to transverse connectors for use
in a spinal stabilization system. More particularly, the disclosure
is directed to transverse connectors which may be attached between
spinal rods in a spinal stabilization system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The spinal column is a highly complex system of bones and
connective tissues that provides support for the body and protects
the delicate spinal cord and nerves. The spinal column includes a
series of vertebrae stacked one on top of the other. Each vertebra
includes a vertebral body including an inner or central portion of
relatively weak cancellous bone and an outer portion of relatively
strong cortical bone. An intervertebral disc is situated between
each vertebral body to cushion and dampen compressive forces
experienced by the spinal column. A vertebral canal, called the
foramen, containing the spinal cord and nerves is located posterior
to the vertebral bodies. In spite of the complexities, the spine is
a highly flexible structure, capable of a high degree of curvature
and twist in nearly every direction. For example, the kinematics of
the spine normally includes flexion, extension, rotation and
lateral bending.
[0004] There are many types of spinal column disorders including
scoliosis (abnormal curvature and twisting of the spine), kyphosis
(abnormal forward curvature of the spine, usually in the thoracic
spine), excess lordosis (abnormal backward curvature of the spine,
usually in the lumbar spine), spondylolisthesis (forward
displacement of one vertebra over another, usually in a lumbar or
cervical spine) and other disorders caused by abnormalities,
disease, or trauma, such as spinal disc herniation, degenerative
disc disease, fractured vertebra, and the like. Patients that
suffer from such conditions usually experience extreme and
debilitating pain as well as diminished range of motion and nerve
function. These spinal disorders may also threaten the critical
elements of the nervous system housed within the spinal column.
[0005] In some instances, a spinal stabilization system may be
installed on a segment of the spinal column to stabilize a portion
of the spinal column to treat a spinal disorder. One particular
spinal stabilization technique includes immobilizing portions of
the spine of a patient by using elongate members such as relatively
rigid orthopedic spinal rods that run generally parallel to the
spine on opposite sides of the spinous processes.
[0006] Installation of such systems may be accomplished, for
example, by accessing the spine posteriorly and fastening hooks,
bone screws, or other types of vertebral anchors to the pedicles or
other bony structures of the appropriate vertebrae. The vertebral
anchors may be generally placed in a quantity of two per vertebra,
one on either side of the spinous processes, and serve as anchor
points for the elongate members.
[0007] It may be desirable in some circumstances to provide a cross
connector, such as a transverse connector, to bridge across the
spinal column from a first elongate member and associated assembly
of vertebral anchors to a second elongate member and associated
assembly of vertebral anchors of the spinal stabilization system to
provide additional stability to the spinal stabilization system.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide alternative transverse
connector assemblies which may be coupled between first and second
elongate members of a spinal stabilization system.
SUMMARY
[0008] The disclosure is directed to several alternative designs,
materials and methods of manufacturing medical device structures
and assemblies.
[0009] Accordingly, one illustrative embodiment is a transverse
connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of
a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector may
comprise a connector arm having a first end portion, a second end
portion and a bridge member extending therebetween. The first end
portion may have a first through hole extending from a top surface
to a bottom surface thereof and the second end portion may have a
second through hole extending from a top surface to a bottom
surface thereof. The connector arm may further include a first
upper pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface
adjacent to the first through hole, a first lower pair of dovetail
grooves extending along the bottom surface adjacent to the first
through hole, a second upper pair of dovetail grooves extending
along the top surface adjacent to the second through hole, and a
second lower pair of dovetail grooves extending along the bottom
surface adjacent to the second through hole. A first coupling
assembly may be positioned proximate the first end portion of the
connector arm. The first coupling assembly may comprise a first
sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface, an aperture
extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a
pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface. The first
coupling assembly may further include a first insert having a first
end region and a second end region and a first locking mechanism
having a dovetail groove extending around a perimeter of a lower
portion thereof. The transverse connector may further include a
second coupling assembly positioned proximate to the second end
portion of the connector arm. The second coupling assembly may
comprise a second sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface, an
aperture extending between the top surface and the bottom surface,
and a pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface. The
second coupling assembly may further include a second insert having
a first end region and a second end region and a second locking
mechanism having a dovetail groove extending around a perimeter of
a lower portion thereof.
[0010] Another illustrative embodiment is a transverse connector
for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal
stabilization system. The transverse connector may comprise a
connector arm having a first end portion, a second end portion and
a bridge member extending therebetween along a longitudinal axis.
The first end portion may have a first through hole extending from
a top surface to a bottom surface thereof and the second end
portion may have a second through hole extending from a top surface
to a bottom surface thereof. The connector arm may further include
a first upper pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top
surface adjacent to the first through hole, a first lower pair of
dovetail grooves extending along the bottom surface adjacent to the
first through hole, a second upper pair of dovetail grooves
extending along the top surface adjacent to the second through
hole, and a second lower pair of dovetail grooves extending along
the bottom surface adjacent to the second through hole. A first
coupling assembly may be positioned proximate to the first end
portion of the connector arm. The first coupling assembly may
comprise a first sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface, an
aperture extending between the top surface and the bottom surface,
and a pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface and
configured to slidably engage the first pair of lower dovetail
grooves of the connector arm in a direction generally parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the connector arm. The first coupling
assembly may further comprise a first insert having a first end
region and a second end region, the first insert being movably
disposed within the aperture of the first sleeve and a first
locking mechanism having a dovetail groove extending around a
perimeter of a lower portion thereof and configured to slidably
engage the first pair of upper dovetail grooves of the connector
arm in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the connector arm. The transverse connector may further include a
second coupling assembly proximate the second end portion of the
connector arm. The second coupling assembly may comprise a second
sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface, an aperture
extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a
pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface and
configured to slidably engage the second pair of lower dovetail
grooves of the connector arm in a direction generally parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the connector arm. The second coupling
assembly may further comprise a second insert having a first end
region and a second end region, the second insert being movably
disposed within the aperture of the second sleeve and a second
locking mechanism having a dovetail groove extending around a
perimeter of a lower portion thereof and configured to engage the
second pair of upper dovetail grooves of the connector arm in a
direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
connector arm.
[0011] Another illustrative embodiment is a spinal stabilization
system. The spinal stabilization system may comprise a first and a
second elongate member. A transverse connector may extend between
the first elongate member and the second elongate member. The
transverse connector may comprise a connector arm having a first
end portion, a second end portion and a bridge member extending
therebetween, the first end portion having a first through hole
extending from a top surface to a bottom surface and the second end
portion having a second through hole extending from a top surface
to a bottom surface. The connector arm may further include a first
upper pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface
adjacent to the first through hole, a first lower pair of dovetail
grooves extending along the bottom surface adjacent to the first
through hole, a second upper pair of dovetail grooves extending
along the top surface adjacent to the second through hole, and a
second lower pair of dovetail grooves extending along the bottom
surface adjacent to the second through hole. The transverse
connector may further include a first coupling assembly proximate
the first end portion of the connector arm. The first coupling
assembly may comprise a first sleeve having a top surface, a bottom
surface, an aperture extending between the top surface and the
bottom surface, and a pair of dovetail grooves extending along the
top surface. The first coupling assembly may further comprise a
first insert having a first end region and a second end region and
a first locking mechanism having a dovetail groove extending around
a perimeter of a lower portion thereof. The transverse connector
may further include a second coupling assembly proximate the second
end portion of the connector arm. The second coupling assembly may
comprise a second sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface, an
aperture extending between the top surface and the bottom surface,
and a pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface. The
second coupling assembly may further include a second insert having
a first end region and a second end region and a second locking
mechanism having a dovetail groove extending around a perimeter of
a lower portion thereof.
[0012] The above summary of some example embodiments is not
intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every
implementation of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The disclosure may be more completely understood in
consideration of the following detailed description of various
embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary spinal
stabilization system including a transverse connector extending
between elongate members;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transverse connector
shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the transverse connector
of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling portion of
the transverse connector of FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
and
[0018] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of components of a
coupling portion of the transverse connector of FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of components of a
coupling portion of the transverse connector of FIG. 2.
[0020] While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications
and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects
of the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents,
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be
applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or
elsewhere in this specification.
[0022] All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the
term "about", whether or not explicitly indicated. The term "about"
generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art
would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the
same function or result). In many instances, the term "about" may
be indicative as including numbers that are rounded to the nearest
significant figure.
[0023] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all
numbers within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75,
3, 3.80, 4, and 5).
[0024] Although some suitable dimensions, ranges and/or values
pertaining to various components, features and/or specifications
are disclosed, one of skill in the art, incited by the present
disclosure, would understand desired dimensions, ranges and/or
values may deviate from those expressly disclosed.
[0025] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless
the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this
specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally
employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly
dictates otherwise.
[0026] The following detailed description should be read with
reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different
drawings are numbered the same. The detailed description and the
drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative
embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure. The illustrative embodiments depicted are intended only
as exemplary. Selected features of any illustrative embodiment may
be incorporated into an additional embodiment unless clearly stated
to the contrary.
[0027] Now referring to the drawings, an exemplary spinal
stabilization system 2 for stabilizing a portion of a spinal
column, such as one or more spinal segments of a spinal column, is
illustrated in FIG. 1. As used herein, a spinal segment is intended
to refer to two or more vertebrae, the intervertebral disc(s)
between the vertebrae and other anatomical elements between the
vertebrae. For example, a spinal segment may include first and
second adjacent vertebrae and the intervertebral disc located
between the first and second vertebrae. The spinal stabilization
system 2 may provide support to the spinal segment subsequent bone
fusion, may help preserve the facet joints between adjacent
vertebrae by providing facet offloading and/or may stabilize or
reverse neural foraminal narrowing of the spinal column, in some
instances.
[0028] In some embodiments, the spinal stabilization system 2 may
be used to treat discogenic low back pain, degenerative spinal
stenosis, disc herniations, facet syndrome, posterior element
instability, adjacent level syndrome associated with spinal fusion,
and/or other maladies associated with the spinal column.
[0029] The spinal stabilization system 2 may include one or more or
a plurality of vertebral anchors 10 and elongate members 4
extending therebetween. Although the vertebral anchors 10 are
depicted as threaded vertebral fasteners (e.g., pedicle screws,
bone screws), in some embodiments the vertebral anchors 10 may be
vertebral hooks (e.g., laminar hooks) or other types of fastening
members for attachment to a bony structure such as a vertebra of
the spinal column. Each of the vertebral anchors 10 may be
configured to be secured to a vertebra of a spinal column.
[0030] The spinal stabilization system 2 may be used in any desired
region of the spinal column, such as the cervical, thoracic,
thoracolumbar, and lumbar regions. The vertebral stabilization
system 2 may be installed multi-laterally on opposite sides of the
sagittal plane of the spinal column, with the first and third
vertebral anchors 10a, 10c and the first elongate member 4a
positioned on one lateral side of the sagittal plane and the second
and fourth vertebral anchors 10b, 10d and the second elongate
member 4b positioned on the other lateral side (i.e.,
contra-lateral side) of the sagittal plane. For instance, the first
vertebral anchor 10a and the second vertebral anchor 10b may be
secured to a first vertebra on contra-lateral sides of the sagittal
plane, while the third vertebral anchor 10c and the fourth
vertebral anchor 10d may be secured to a second vertebra on
contra-lateral sides of the sagittal plane. Additional vertebral
anchors 10 may be secured to additional vertebrae as desired.
[0031] The vertebral anchor 10 may include a housing 12 and a bone
engagement portion, such as a bone screw 14 extending from the
housing 12 along a longitudinal axis of the vertebral anchor 10. In
some embodiments, the vertebral anchor 10 may be a monoaxial screw
in which the housing 12 is stationary relative to the bone screw
14, while in other embodiments the vertebral anchor 10 may be a
polyaxial screw in which the housing 12 is actuatable (e.g.,
pivotable) relative to the bone screw 14. In yet other embodiments,
the vertebral anchor may be a monoaxial screw, a uniplanar screw, a
bone hook, or the like. In some embodiments, the bone screw 14 may
be configured to be installed into a bony region of a vertebra of
the spinal column. For example, the bone screw 14 may be installed
into a pedicle of a vertebra, or other region of a vertebra. In
some embodiments, the bone screw 14 may include helical threads
configured to be screwed into a pedicle of a vertebra, or other
bony region of a vertebra.
[0032] The housing 12 may include a base portion and first and
second legs 8 extending from the base portion and defining a
channel 6, such as a U-shaped channel, therebetween extending into
the housing 12 from an upper extent of the housing 12 opposite the
bone screw 14. In some embodiments each of the first and second
legs 8 may include a threaded portion for threadedly engaging a
threaded portion of a fastener 16. In other embodiments, the first
and second legs 8 may include other engagement features for
engaging with a securing member positioned in the housing 12
between the first and second legs 8.
[0033] The spinal stabilization system 2 may also include one or
more, or a plurality of elongate stabilization members 4a, 4b
(collectively 4), such as elongate rods, extending between
vertebral anchors 10 of the spinal stabilization system 2. As an
illustrative example, the spinal stabilization system 2 shown in
FIG. 1 includes a first elongate member 4a extending between and
secured to the first vertebral anchor 10a and the third vertebral
anchor 10c, and a second elongate member 4b extending between and
secured to the second vertebral anchor 10b and the fourth vertebral
anchor 10d.
[0034] The elongate members 4 may be secured in the channels 6 of
the housings 12 of the vertebral anchors 10 using threaded
fasteners or other securement members. For instance, threaded set
screws 16 may be threadably engaged with the threaded portions of
the legs 8 of the housings 12 of the vertebral anchors 10 and press
against the elongate member 4 to secure the elongate members 4 in
the channels 6.
[0035] The spinal stabilization system 2 may also include a
transverse connector 20 which may be positioned generally
perpendicular to the elongate members 4 to provide additional
stability to the spinal stabilization system 2 in some instances.
The transverse connector 20 may be configured to be coupled to the
elongate stabilization members 4. For example, the transverse
connector 20 may be coupled between the first and second
stabilization members 4a, 4b in an orientation generally
perpendicular to the elongate members 4. Opposing ends of the
transverse connector 20 may include coupling assemblies 22, each
configured to engage an elongate member 4.
[0036] While the transverse connector 20 is illustrated as being
positioned between contralateral spinal rods on either lateral side
of sagittal plane at a single spinal level, it is contemplated that
the transverse connector 20 may be configured to allow for
multilevel connection in some instances. In other words, in some
instances, the first coupling assembly 22a may be coupled to a
first elongate member 4 between a first vertebra and a second
vertebra on a first lateral side of the sagittal plane, and the
second coupling assembly 22b may be coupled to a second elongate
member 4 between the second vertebra and a third vertebra on a
second lateral side of the sagittal plane opposite the first
lateral side. For example, in some instances, a first coupling
assembly 22a may be positioned between the C3 and C4 vertebrae and
a second coupling assembly 22b may be positioned between the C4 and
C5 vertebrae. In such an instance, the transverse connector 20 may
be positioned at an oblique angle to the elongate members 4. This
is just an example; it is contemplated that the first and second
coupling assemblies 22a, 22b may be positioned between any
vertebrae desired.
[0037] It is further contemplated that the transverse connector 20
may be configured to attach to the housing 12 of one or more of the
vertebral anchors 10 in some instances. For example, the insert 38
of the coupling assembly 22 may be configured to clamp onto the
housing 12 of a vertebral anchor 10, or other structural component
of a vertebral anchor 10, if desired.
[0038] Additional features and components of the transverse
connector 20 are further illustrated in FIGS. 2-6. As shown in FIG.
2, which illustrates a perspective view of the transverse connector
20, the transverse connector 20 may include a connector arm 24
having a first end portion 26, a second end portion 28, and a
bridge member 32 extending between the first end portion 26 and the
second end portion 28. The bridge member 32 may have an arcuate or
curved shape, although this is not required. The first and second
end portions 26, 28 may each include a through hole 30 extending
therethrough. In some instances, the through holes 30 may have a
generally oblong or elongated shape, although this is not required.
It is contemplated that the through holes 30 may take any shape
desired, such as, but not limited to, round, square, rectangular,
polygonal, etc. In some instances, the through holes 30 may be
sized to allow for some longitudinal movement of coupling
assemblies 22 in direction L such that the transverse connector 20
can be adapted to the varying anatomies of different patients. An
upper surface 34 and a lower surface (not explicitly shown) may
surround a perimeter of each of the through holes 30. In some
instances, the upper surface 34 and the lower surface may be a
textured surface 35 to help secure the coupling assemblies 22. In
some embodiments, the textured surface 35 may be grooved, ridged,
bumped, etc., to increase the surface area of the surface and/or to
increase the friction between the connector arm 24 and the coupling
assemblies 22.
[0039] Referring additionally to FIG. 3, which illustrates a
cross-sectional view of transverse connector 20 taken at line 3-3
of FIG. 2, the transverse connector 20 may include a first coupling
assembly 22a and a second coupling assembly 22b secured to the
connector arm 24 at each of the through holes 30. The first
coupling assembly 22a is shown in a first configuration and the
second coupling assembly 22b is shown in a second configuration, as
will be described in more detail below. It is noted that although
the coupling assemblies 22a, 22b are shown in two different
configurations, the coupling assemblies 22 may be similarly
configured and include similar components.
[0040] Each coupling assembly 22 may include multiple components,
including an insert 38, a sleeve 36, and a locking mechanism 40
cooperating to secure connector arm 24 between two elongate members
4. It is noted that although one coupling assembly 22 at one end of
the transverse connector 20 is described herein, the coupling
assembly 22 at the other end of the transverse connector 20 may be
similarly configured and include similar components. The sleeve 36
may include a central aperture 42 extending from a top surface 44
to a bottom surface 46 of the sleeve 36. The aperture 42 may have a
first end region 48 having a generally constant cross-sectional
shape adjacent to the top surface 44. The aperture 42 may have a
second end region 50 which tapers from a first cross-section shape
adjacent to the bottom surface 46 towards a second, smaller
cross-sectional shape adjacent to the first end region 48. In some
instances, the second end region 50 may, in part, have a generally
conical tapered surface shaped to contact an outer surface of the
insert 38, as will be discussed in more detail below. It is
contemplated that the second end region 50 may slope at an angle of
approximately 20.degree., approximately 25.degree., or
approximately 30.degree., although this is not required. It is
contemplated that the slope may be any oblique angle to the
longitudinal axis of the aperture 42 desired.
[0041] The insert 38 may be slidably disposed within the aperture
42 of the sleeve 36 and the through hole 30 of the connector arm
24. For example, the insert 38 may move up and down within the
aperture 42 of the sleeve 36 along the longitudinal rotational axis
of the insert 38, as will be discussed in more detail below.
Furthermore, the insert 38 may slide together with the sleeve 36
along the direction L of FIG. 2. The insert 38 may include a first
end region 52 and a second end region 54. The first end region 52
may include a threaded portion 56, such as an externally threaded
post portion, configured to engage a threaded portion 60, such as
an internally threaded bore, of the locking mechanism 40 and flat
regions 58 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The flat regions 58 may allow for
some rotation, for example .+-.10.degree. from the longitudinal
axis of the transverse connector 20, yet prevent the insert 38 from
fully rotating 360.degree. within the through hole 30. The aperture
42 of the sleeve 36 may also include features to limit the rotation
of the insert 38, as will be discussed in more detail below. The
ability of the insert 38 to rotate through a limited amount of
rotation, such as an angle less than 360.degree., less than
180.degree., less than 90.degree., less than 45.degree., or less
than 30.degree. may allow the transverse connector 20 to extend
between two elongate members 4 that are not parallel. The distance
across the insert 38 between the flat regions 58 and perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the insert 38 may be less than the
width of the through hole 30 of the connector arm 24 and the
portion of the aperture 42 of the sleeve 36 through which the
threaded portion 56 extends, while the transverse distance across
the insert 38 between the discontinuous threaded portions between
the flat region 58 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the insert 38 may be greater than the width of the through hole 30
such that the insert 38 may be positioned through the through hole
30, while restricting rotation movement of the insert 38 in the
hole 30.
[0042] The first end region 52 may extend through the aperture 42
of the sleeve 36 and through hole 30 in the connector arm 24. The
locking mechanism 40 may threadably engage insert 38 to secure the
insert 38 to the connector arm 24. For instance, the threaded
portion of the locking mechanism 40 may threadably mate with the
threaded portion of the insert 38. In some instances, the locking
mechanism 40 may be a nut, although this is not required. A divot
100 may be formed adjacent to the threaded portion 56.
[0043] The second end region 54 of the insert 38 may include a pair
of angled arms 54 each having an arcuate or curved inner surface
64a, 64b (collectively 64). The curved inner surfaces 64 may be
sized and shaped to generally conform to or grasp an outer surface
of elongate member 4. In some instances, the center of radius of
the radius cuts forming the curved inner surfaces 64a, 64b may not
be co-located. For example, the center of radius of the radius cut
of the first curved inner surface 64a may be offset from the
longitudinal axis of the insert in a first direction and the center
of radius of the radius cut of the second curved inner surface 64b
may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the insert 38 in a
second direction generally opposite from the first direction.
Offseting the centers of radii of the curved inner surfaces 64a,
64b may reduce or minimize the amount of force required to snap the
insert 38 onto the elongate member 4. It is contemplated that when
the arms 62 are compressed by the sleeve 36, as discussed in more
detail below, the arms 62 are moved inward towards one another such
that the center of radii of the radius cuts are generally aligned
along the same central axis of the elongate member 4.
[0044] The insert 38 may further include an opening or gap 66
between the arms 62 to allow the arms 62 to flex inwards towards
one another, as will be described in more detail below. The opening
between the arms 54 may be sized to be slightly less than the
diameter of the elongate member 4 positionable therein, such that
the insert 38 snaps onto the elongate member 4 and surrounds more
than 180.degree. of the elongate member 4 to provisionally couple
the insert 38 to the elongate member 4 prior to locking the
transverse connector 20 to the elongate member 4 with the locking
mechanism 40. Referring to FIG. 4, which illustrates a
cross-sectional view of transverse connector 20 taken at line 4-4
of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5, which illustrates a perspective view of a
partially exploded transverse connector 20, the locking mechanism
40 and sleeve 36 may be releasably connected to the connector arm
24 through a series of mating engagement or retention elements,
such as, but not limited to dovetail features (e.g., mating
dovetail flanges and/or grooves). While the engagement elements or
members are described as dovetail grooves, it is contemplated that
the locking mechanism 40, sleeve 36, and connector arm 24 may
include a variety of structural features configured to releasably
secure the locking mechanism 40 and sleeve 36 to the connector arm
24. These structural features include but are not limited to mating
dovetail grooves, a tongue and groove structure, flanges and
corresponding grooves, pins or other protruding elements, etc.
[0045] The lower surface of the connector arm 24 may include an
engagement feature, for example, a pair of lower grooves, such as
dovetail grooves 68, and/or the upper surface of the connector arm
24 may include an engagement feature, for example, and a pair of
upper grooves, such as dovetail grooves 70. The engagement features
(e.g., dovetail grooves 68, 70) may extend generally parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the connector arm 24 on either side of the
through hole 30. The sleeve 36, which may be positioned below the
connector arm 24, may include an engagement feature, for example, a
pair of flanges and/or grooves, such as dovetail grooves or flanges
72 positioned adjacent to the top surface 34 thereof configured to
mate with the engagement feature (e.g., dovetail grooves 68) on the
lower surface of the connector arm 24. The engagement features
(e.g., dovetail grooves 72) may extend along the top surface 44
from a first end 76 to a second end 78 and adjacent to a first side
80 and a second side 82 (see FIG. 5) of the sleeve 36. The lower
engagement feature (e.g., dovetail grooves 68) may have an open
region (not explicitly shown) near the first end 84 (or second end
86) of the connector arm 24 such that the engagement feature (e.g.,
dovetail grooves 72) on the sleeve 36 may be slidably engaged with
the engagement feature (e.g., dovetail grooves 68) on the lower
surface of the connector arm 24. It is contemplated that when the
engagement features (e.g., dovetail grooves 68, 72) are engaged
with one another, the sleeve 36 may be held in a position adjacent
to the lower surface 88 of the connector arm 24, as shown in FIG.
4.
[0046] The locking mechanism 40, which may be positioned above the
connector arm 24, may include an engagement feature, for example, a
flange, such as a dovetail groove or flange 74 extending around a
circumference of the lower portion 90 thereof. The upper engagement
feature (e.g., dovetail grooves 70) of the connector arm 24 may
have an open region 92 near the first end 84 (or second end 86) of
the connector arm 24 such that the engagement feature or flange
(e.g., dovetail groove 74) on the locking mechanism 40 may be
slidably engaged with the engagement feature (e.g., dovetail
grooves 70) on the upper surface of the connector arm 24. The
circumferential flange (e.g., dovetail groove 74) may allow the
locking mechanism 40 to rotate relative to the connector arm 24,
the sleeve 36 and/or the insert 38 while releasably securing the
locking mechanism 40 to the connector arm 24 via mating engagement
features (e.g., dovetail grooves 70, 74).
[0047] To assemble the transverse connector 20, the sleeve 36 may
be slid onto the connector arm 24 in a direction generally parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the transverse connector 20 with the
engagement feature (e.g., flanges, grooves, dovetail grooves 72) of
the sleeve 36 mating with the lower engagement feature (e.g.,
flanges, grooves, dovetail grooves 68) of the connector arm 24. The
locking mechanism 40 may be slid onto the connector arm 24 in a
direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
transverse connector 20 with the engagement feature (e.g., flange,
groove, dovetail groove 74) of the locking mechanism 40 mating with
the upper engagement feature (e.g., flanges, grooves, dovetail
grooves 70) of the connector arm 24. The sleeve 36 and the locking
mechanism 40 may be vertically aligned such that the aperture 42 in
the sleeve 36 generally aligns with a through hole 94 (e.g.,
threaded bore) in the locking mechanism 40. The first end region 52
(e.g., threaded post) of the insert 38 may then be inserted upwards
through the aperture 42 in the sleeve 36 until it begins to engage
the locking mechanism 40, as shown in connector assembly 22a in
FIG. 3. The locking mechanism 40 may then be rotated to threadably
engage the locking mechanism 40 with the insert 38. Rotating in a
first direction, such as clockwise, or tightening the locking
mechanism 40 may raise the second end region 54 of the insert 38
into the aperture 42 of the sleeve 36, as shown in connector
assembly 22b in FIG. 3. As the insert 38 is drawn into the aperture
42 of sleeve 36, an outer surface 96 of the arms 62 may contact an
inner surface 98 (see FIG. 6) of the sleeve 36. The inner surface
98 may have a generally conical tapered surface shaped to contact
the outer surface 96 of the insert 38. It is contemplated that the
inner surface 98 may slope at an angle of approximately 20.degree.,
for example, although this is not required. It is contemplated that
the slope may be any oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the
insert 38 desired. The inner surface 98 of the sleeve 36 may be
sized and shaped such that the arms 62 of the insert 38 form a
point and/or line contact with the inner surface 98. It is further
contemplated that the second end region 50 of aperture 42 may be
slightly smaller than the outer profile of the arms 62 of the
insert 38. This may cause the arms 62 to compress towards one
another when the arms 62 are disposed within the sleeve 36,
allowing the insert 38 to grasp the elongate member 4 positioned
therebetween. Rotating the locking mechanism 40 in a second
direction opposite the first direction, such as counter-clockwise,
or loosening the locking mechanism 40, may cause the insert 38 to
lower out of the housing 36. The mating engagement features (e.g.,
flanges, grooves, dovetail grooves 68, 72) of the connector arm 24
and the sleeve 36 may allow the insert 38 to be raised and lowered
while maintaining the sleeve 36 in a desired position. For example,
the mating engagement features (e.g., flanges, grooves, dovetail
grooves 68, 72) of the connector arm 24 and the sleeve 36 may hold
the sleeve 36 up and juxtaposed with the lower surface of the
connector arm 24 while the insert 38 is lowered to engage the
elongate member 4. When the surfaces 96 of the insert 38 is lowered
away from the inner surface 98 of the sleeve 36, the arms 62 of the
insert 38 may be slayed or deflected outward to permit the elongate
member 4 to be inserted into the opening between the arms 62.
[0048] In some embodiments, the channel extending through the
sleeve 36 for accommodating the elongate member 4 therethrough may
include one or more recesses 97 opening out on opposing sides of
the sleeve 36. The recesses 97 may be positioned adjacent to a
central inner conical surface 98. The recesses 97 permit the
elongate member 4 to extend at a non-perpendicular angle to the
transverse connector 20, and therefore allow for increased
angulation of the elongate member 4 relative to the longitudinal
axis of the transverse connector 20. For example, the recesses 97
may allow the transverse connector 20 to extend between two
elongate members 4 without being perpendicular to one or more of
the elongate members 4. For example, the transverse connector 20
may extend at an oblique angle to one or more of the elongate
members 4, such as at an angle between about 30.degree. to
90.degree., between about 45.degree. to 90.degree., or between
about 60.degree. to 90.degree. from the elongate member 4. Thus the
transverse connector 20, including the sleeve 36, may be rotated
relative to the insert 38 about the longitudinal axis of the insert
38 with the insert 38 clipped onto the elongate member 4 before
final tightening of the locking mechanism 40 to secure the
transverse connector 20 to the elongate member 4.
[0049] It is contemplated that the transverse connector 20 may be
shipped to the customer in its assembled state. To couple the
transverse connector 20 between two elongate members 4, the
physician may rotate the locking mechanism 40 to lower the insert
38 out of the sleeve 36 as shown in coupling assembly 22a in FIGS.
2 and 3, if so needed. In some instances, the transverse connector
20 may be provided with the insert 38 lowered out of the sleeve 36
as shown in coupling assembly 22a in FIGS. 2 and 3. The arms 62 of
the insert 38 may be deflected around the elongate members 4 to
couple the elongate members 4 thereto. The locking mechanism 40 may
then be rotated to raise the insert 38 into the sleeve 36 and
thereby draw the surfaces 96 of the arms 62 of the insert 38 into
contact with the inner surface 98 of the sleeve 36 as shown in
coupling assembly 22b in FIGS. 2 and 3. As discussed above, the
inner surface 98 of the sleeve 36 may apply a compressive force on
the outer surface 96 of the arms 62 to further secure the elongate
member 4 between the arms 62.
[0050] In some instances, the threaded region 60 of the locking
mechanism 40 may have a major diameter D1 and a minor diameter D2
(see FIG. 4). The major diameter D1 may remain constant over the
length of the threaded region 60. In some embodiments, the minor
diameter D2 may taper from a first diameter proximate an upper end
95 of the threaded region 60 to a second smaller diameter adjacent
to the lower portion 90, although this is not required. It is
contemplated that the minor diameter D2 may change in a step-wise
manner over the length of the threaded region 60, or gradually, for
example. In some instances, there may be two or more different
minor diameters D2 over the length of the threaded region 60. In
some instances, the minor diameter D2 may remain constant over the
length of the threaded region 60.
[0051] It is contemplated that subsequent to threading the threaded
region 56 of the insert 38 into the threaded region 60 of the
locking member 40 from the lower portion 90 toward the upper end 95
of the locking mechanism 40, the upper end of the threaded portion
56 of the insert 38 may be flared outward sufficiently to prevent
the flared upper portion from coming unthreaded from the locking
mechanism 40. For example, the threading of the flared upper
portion of the insert 38 may have a major diameter less than the
major diameter D1 of the threaded region 60, while the minor
diameter of the flared upper portion of the insert 38 may be less
than the minor diameter D2 proximate the upper end 95 of the
threaded region 60 yet greater than the minor diameter D2 proximate
the lower portion 90 of the threaded region 60. Accordingly, the
flared upper portion of the insert 38 may hang up on the smaller
minor diameter D2 proximate the lower portion 90 of the locking
mechanism 40 to couple the insert 38 and locking mechanism 40
together, and thus prevent the two components from being
decoupled.
[0052] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present
invention may be manifested in a variety of forms other than the
specific embodiments described and contemplated herein.
Accordingly, departure in form and detail may be made without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as
described in the appended claims.
* * * * *