U.S. patent application number 15/491259 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-03 for transverse vertebral connector.
The applicant listed for this patent is Phygen, LLC. Invention is credited to Bryan OKAMOTO.
Application Number | 20170215925 15/491259 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50623050 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170215925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKAMOTO; Bryan |
August 3, 2017 |
TRANSVERSE VERTEBRAL CONNECTOR
Abstract
Devices are adapted for interconnecting first and second
longitudinal members extending along a spinal column of a patient.
The devices are particularly suited for use in the cervical region
of the spine.
Inventors: |
OKAMOTO; Bryan; (Irvine,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Phygen, LLC |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50623050 |
Appl. No.: |
15/491259 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14071463 |
Nov 4, 2013 |
9668779 |
|
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15491259 |
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61722461 |
Nov 5, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/7052 20130101;
A61B 2017/00477 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/70 20060101
A61B017/70 |
Claims
1. A transconnector for connecting first and second spinal rods
that are positioned longitudinally along a spine, comprising: a
first cross member having a first clamp member adapted to clamp
onto a first spinal rod, the first member having a first connecting
region extending away from the clamp member; a second cross member
having a second clamp member adapted to clamp onto a second spinal
rod, the second member having a second connecting region extending
away from the second clamp member toward the first member, wherein
the second member and first member are interconnected along the
first and second connecting regions; a central attachment mechanism
positioned at a location where the first and second members
connecting member couple with one another, the central attachment
mechanism configured to tighten and secure the first and second
members relative to one another, wherein the central attachment
mechanism includes a seat having a scalloped surface and a set
screw having a scalloped surface that mates with the scalloped
surface of the seat.
2. A transconnector as in claim 1, wherein the scalloped surfaces
are ribbed surfaces.
3. A transconnector as in claim 1, wherein the scalloped surfaces
are saw tooth surfaces.
4. A transconnector as in claim 1, wherein the clamp members are
hooks.
5. A transconnector as in claim 1, wherein the second member and
first member are slidably interconnected along the first and second
connecting regions.
6. A transconnector as in claim 1, wherein the second member and
first member are rotatably interconnected along the first and
second connecting regions.
7. A transconnector as in claim 1, wherein the central attachment
mechanism includes a ball and socket.
8. A transconnector as in claim 1, wherein the gap of the scat
forms a pair of surfaces of the seat that face one another
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/071,463, filed Nov. 4, 2013, entitled
"TRANSVERSE VERTEBRAL CONNECTOR", which claims priority benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/722,461, filed Nov. 5, 2012, entitled "TRANSVERSE
VERTEBRAL CONNECTOR.", each of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The use of spinal rods is conventional for correction of
spinal trauma or conditions, such as curvature of the spine.
Generally, an orthopedic stabilization system may include a pair of
elongate members, such as spinal rods or plates, that are coupled
to a bone or bones. For the sake of simplicity, the term "rod" is
used throughout to refer to any elongate member. The rods are
generally contoured and longitudinally disposed adjacent to
vertebral bodies of a spine.
[0003] The strength and stability of the rod assembly can be
increased by coupling the two rods with a cross-connector that
extends substantially horizontal to the longitudinal axes of the
rods across the spine. In some situations, the two rods are
geometrically aligned such that the two rods are parallel to each
other. However, the two rods are often not three dimensionally
geometrically aligned in actual situations. There are several ways
to address the variations of geometrical alignment. First, one or
both of the rods can be bent to accommodate the transconnector.
However, any bending in either of the rods can adversely affect the
fixation to the spine and comprise clinical outcome. Furthermore,
the bending can also adversely affect the mechanical properties of
the rods. The transconnector can also be bent so that the
disturbance to the rod positioning is minimized. As is the case
with bending of the rods, the mechanical properties of the
transconnector could be compromised.
[0004] Because of the forces acting along the transverse connector
and the movement of the spinal rods, the connection between the
transverse connector and the rod must be secure to avoid movement
of the transverse connector along the spinal rod. Some rod
fastening systems of transverse connectors use threaded fasteners
to attach the transverse connector to adjacent rods. The threaded
fastener can be a setscrew or a nut. Not tightening a threaded
fastener enough may allow movement of the transverse connector.
Overtightening a threaded fastener could result in damage to the
system and failure of the transverse connector.
SUMMARY
[0005] Disclosed herein are methods and devices for interconnecting
first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal
column of a patient. The devices are particularly suited for use in
the cervical region of the spine.
[0006] In one aspect, there is disclosed a transconnector for
connecting first and second spinal rods that are positioned
longitudinally along a spine, comprising: a first cross member
having a first clamp member adapted to clamp onto a first spinal
rod, the first member having a first connecting region extending
away from the clamp member; a second cross member having a second
clamp member adapted to clamp onto a second spinal rod, the second
member having a second connecting region extending away from the
second clamp member toward the first member, wherein the second
member and first member are interconnected along the first and
second connecting regions; and a central attachment mechanism
positioned at a location where the first and second members
connecting member couple with one another, the central attachment
mechanism configured to tighten and secure the first and second
members relative to one another, wherein the central attachment
mechanism includes a seat having a scalloped surface and a set
screw having a scalloped surface that mates with the scalloped
surface of the seat.
[0007] Other features and advantages should be apparent from the
following description of various embodiments, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the described subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows an exemplary transverse connector device
100 for interconnecting a pair of longitudinal members or rods
connected to vertebrae of a spinal column.
[0009] FIGS. 3-5 shows another embodiment of a cross-connector
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Disclosed herein are methods and devices for interconnecting
first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal
column of a patient. The devices are particularly suited for use in
the cervical region of the spine.
[0011] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various embodiments of exemplary
transverse connectors, and in each of the illustrated embodiments
the transverse connector generally includes a first connecting
member and a second connecting member. Each pair of connecting
member connect to each other transversely (i.e., across or
substantially across the midline of the vertebral column) in a
variety of configurations. Each pair of connecting members are
fixed to each other by any of a variety mechanisms such as an
attachment mechanism. Further, each embodiment of the transverse
connector includes a clamping mechanism that is adapted to
selectively lock a longitudinal member extending along a spinal
column of a patient, such as a spinal fixation element, and in
particular a spinal fixation rod. The fixation of the connecting
member pairs and the clamping mechanisms allow for transverse as
well as rotational adjustability of the transverse connectors.
[0012] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that while each
transverse connector is described herein as being adapted to engage
a spinal fixation element, and in particular a spinal fixation rod,
that a transverse connector disclosed herein can be configured to
engage a variety of spinal fixation devices, such as anchors,
cables, fixation plates, etc. Moreover, the transverse connectors
can include only one connector member for engaging a spinal
fixation device, and the opposed terminal end of the transverse
connectors can be adapted for other uses. For example, the opposed
terminal end of the transverse connectors can be configured to be
fixedly attached to a vertebra. The transverse connectors disclosed
herein can also include any combination of features described
and/or illustrated herein, and the transverse connectors are not
limited to the illustrated embodiments.
[0013] As indicated above, the transverse connector in certain
exemplary embodiments includes a first connecting member and a
second connecting member that extend toward each other between each
longitudinal member or spinal rod. The first and second connecting
members can connect by a variety of mechanisms or configurations.
The first and second connecting members can be generally elongate
and positioned a distance apart from one another and adjusted
transversely. The first and second connecting members can also be
rotationally adjustable to allow the connecting members to be
positioned as desired. The transverse and rotational adjustability
of the transverse connectors allows them to mate to parallel,
non-parallel, diverging, and converging spinal rods that are
implanted within a patient's spinal system.
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows an exemplary transverse connector device
100 for interconnecting a pair of longitudinal members or rods
connected to vertebrae of a spinal column. Although the transverse
connector 100 is described herein as an interconnecting rod, it is
contemplated that the transverse connector 100 may interconnect any
suitable longitudinal member, such as plates or rods of other
shapes, such as hexagonal rods.
[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device includes a first
member 105 that is rotatably and slidably connected to a second
member 110. Each of the members has a hook portion 112 (or other
type of attachment member) that is configured to couple to a spinal
rod or other spinal connection device. The outer transverse end of
each of the first and second members includes a fixation member,
such as a screw 117, that can be used to secure each of the members
to the spinal rod or a portion of the spine.
[0016] A central attachment mechanism 125 is positioned at a
location where the first and second members interface with one
another. The central attachment mechanism 125 can be used to
tighten and secure the first and second members 105, 110 relative
to one another. In this regard, the attachment mechanism 125
includes a compression nut 1515 that has a radially outward facing
surface that is configured to mate with or engage with an inner
surface of a seat in which it is mounted. In an embodiment, the
mating outer and inner surfaces each have a scalloped profile.
Thus, the radially outward facing surface of the compression nut
1515 is configured to engage a complementary shaped, radially
inward facing contact surface of a seat 1590 to provide a locking
mechanism that limits relative rotation between the seat 1590 and
the nut 1550. In an embodiment, the seat 1590 and the nut 1515 form
saw tooth-shaped or ribbed projections and the saw tooth or ribbed
protrusions that interlock with one another. In some embodiments, a
seat 1590 comprises a gap 126.
[0017] In some embodiments, the seat 1590 and the nut 1515 can
provide a series of undulating or scalloped engaging members that
are interlocked or provide an interference fit upon relative
rotation of the nut. Accordingly, when the nut 1515 is received
into the seat 1590, the radially outward facing surface of the
compression nut 1515 engages the complementary shaped, radially
inward facing contact surface of the seat. Thus, further relative
rotation between the compression nut 1515 and the seat 1590 is
prevented unless the seat 1590 deflects from, or bows out relative
to the nut 1515.
[0018] In order for the nut 1515 to be removed from the seat 1590,
the laterally opposed projections must be deflected to disengage
the interlocking sawtooth arrangement between the sawtooth
projections and the sawtooth protrusions. A tool can be used to
facilitate deflection between the laterally opposed upwardly
extending projections 1540 in order to release the compression nut
1515 from engagement with the coupling element 1505 so the coupling
nut 1515 can be removed.
[0019] FIGS. 3-5 shows another embodiment of a cross-connector
device 200. This embodiment includes a poly-axial range of movement
between the first and second members 105, 110.
[0020] In this regard, as shown in FIG. 4, the first member 105
includes an elongated arm having a ball 407 located at its end. The
ball fits into a complementary shaped, elongated socket 400 of a
central member 405. The socket 400 is sized and shaped such that
the ball can slide and rotate within the socket. This permits
translational movement (along the length of the socket) and
rotational movement of the first member relative to the second
member. With reference to FIG. 3, the second member 110 also
includes an elongated arm 430 that slidably fits through a slot in
the central member 405. The end of the arm 430 has a stopper member
435 that limits the amount of translational movement of the arm
through the socket.
[0021] In addition, the central member may include a locking
element of the type described with respect to the device of FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0022] Although embodiments of various methods and devices are
described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it
should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of
use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the
spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to
the description of the embodiments contained herein.
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