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:
Aug. 15, 2000
Filed:
May. 28, 1998
Muriel Cazin, Bussy St-Georges, FR;
Jean-Charles Moreau, Gouvieux, FR;
Sofamor S.N.C., , FR;
Abstract
A vertebral rod for fixation of a spine, the rod defining an outer cross section and including a detachable end portion also defining the same outer cross section. In one embodiment, the detachable end portion is connected to the remainder of the rod by a region of reduced strength. The region of reduced strength forms a fracture initiator defining an area of reduced outer cross section so that the detachable end portion can be broken off. In another embodiment, the rod defines a threaded opening and a threaded spigot, each extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The spigot threadedly engages the opening to releasably connect the detachable end portion to the remainder of the rod. In either embodiment, the detachable end portion is configured to receive a driving tool for removing the detachable end portion from the remainder of the rod.