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:
Oct. 12, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 01, 1997
Marc Richelsoph, Memphis, TN (US);
Spinal Innovations, Bartlett, TN (US);
Abstract
A spinal implant fixation assembly includes a bone fixation member, such as a screw or hook for fixation to a bone. A rod receiving seat is operatively connected to the bone fixation element for seating a portion of a rod therein. A locking mechanism, in the form of a nut and locking ring engage the rod receiving seat for forcing an inner wall of the rod receiving seat to contour around and engage the rod seated therein and for locking and fixing the rod relative to the inner housing. In one embodiment, the locking ring secures a head portion of the bone fixation element within the assembly. A method is also provided for locking the rod to a bone by fixing a rod seating member to a bone and seating a portion of a rod within a substantially U-shaped seat of the seating member. The rod is then locked within the U-shaped seating member while engaging and contouring at least a portion of the U-shaped seat about the rod. The assembly further includes a screw head receiving insert for obtaining a head of screw therein. The insert is moveable within the assembly between a locked position entrapping the screw head and an unlocked position wherein the screw head enters or escapes.