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:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 13, 1995
R. Charles Ray, Tacoma, WA (US);
SDGI Holdings, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
An implant system for spinal fixation includes a fastener having an upper portion, a lower portion configured to engage a vertebra, and a shoulder between the upper and lower portions. A connector is provided for engaging the fastener to an elongated rod that is positionable along the spinal column laterally from a line containing the axis of the fastener. The connector includes a first portion for engaging the upper portion of the fastener adjacent the shoulder, and an integral second portion having a surface for engaging the elongated spinal rod. The connector further includes an elongated slot between the first portion and the second portion to permit relative lateral adjustment between the rod and the upper portion of the fastener. A threaded fastener is provided for clamping the rod against the surface of the connector. In one embodiment, the fastener includes an eyebolt defining an aperture for receiving the spinal rod. In another embodiment of the invention, the connector includes an elongated plate that defines a slot through which the second portion of the fastener is received. This slot includes a plurality of grooves on a surface of the plate facing the rod, each of the grooves configured to receive a portion of the rod therein.