Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Shoji Uchida

Satoshi Ojima

Two posterior spinal fusion members are secured to a plurality of vertebrae which constitute a spine. The posterior spinal fusion members are fixed to both sides of the spinous processes of the vertebrae. A fixing instrument is attached to each posterior spinal fusion member. The fixing instrument includes a rod-shaped connecting member and two hooks slidably attached to both ends of the connecting member. Elongated holes are formed in the portions of the connecting member where the hooks are attached. Male screws are driven through the elongated holes. The surface around the opening of each elongated hole where the head of the associated male screw slides is formed as the bottom of a recess which is shallow on the associated end side of the fixing instrument and is deep on the connecting member side. When a hexagonal wrench is inserted in a hexagonal hole formed in the end face of the head of this male screw and is manipulated to drive the male screw into the associated hook, the head of the male screw slides on the bottom of this recess, causing the hook to move toward the connecting member. Therefore, force is applied to the two posterior spinal fusion members to shift the posterior spinal fusion members toward each other.

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Hyogo-ken, Japan

Shoji Uchida