The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 31, 1998
Filed:
Jun. 18, 1996
Joseph P Errico, Far Hills, NJ (US);
Thomas J Errico, Summit, NJ (US);
James D Ralph, Oakland, NJ (US);
Fastenetix, LLC, Summit, NJ (US);
Abstract
A polyaxial colletted locking mechanism for use with orthopedic apparatus includes a screw, hook, or other orthopaedic implant element having a curvate head and a coupling element. The coupling element has a tapered and colletted portion having an interior chamber in which the curvate head is initially polyaxially disposed. A locking collar is disposed around the tapered and colletted portion such that translation thereof in the direction of the expanding taper causes the interior volume to contract onto the curvate head and lock it therein. The coupling element generally also includes a rod receiving recess in either the side or top thereof for for receiving a rod of the total implant apparatus. The locking collar may be caused to translate into its locking position by a mutual threading on the tapered portion and the collar, or by pressure applied to it by a separate element which locks the rod in the channel.