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. 21, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 05, 1998
Marcus Maria Sanders, Cleveland Hts., OH (US);
John Mark Kapitan, Shaker Hts., OH (US);
Henry John Brown, Solon, OH (US);
Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
An improved fastener is provided for use in retaining vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship. The fastener has a mounting section with a first external thread to engage a vertebra. The fastener has a retaining section with a second external thread to engage an internal thread on a retaining element, such as a nut. A circular intermediate section interconnects the mounting and retaining sections of the fastener. A plurality of spaced apart recesses are formed in the intermediate section. Each of these recesses has a surface for receiving force to rotate the fastener relative to a vertebra. The circular intermediate section may include an annular end surface which faces toward a retaining section and a cylindrical outer side surface. Each of the recesses has an opening which extends from the annular end surface into the cylindrical side surface.