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:
Jun. 08, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2001
Robert J. Jones, Austin, TX (US);
Eric Loveless, Jacksonville, FL (US);
William A. Cottle, Vancouver, CA;
Spinal Concepts, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
An instrument may be used to move a rod attached to vertebrae to an opening of a fixation device. Positioning the rod in the opening may properly align the vertebrae with respect to the vertebra attached to the fixation element. A fixation holder may be coupled to the fixation element. The holder may include a protrusion. The protrusion may engage a guide of the instrument during use. The protrusion and the guide may ensure that the rod is properly positioned within the opening in the connector. The instrument and holder may automatically align the rod to the opening without requiring manual manipulation of the rod or the fixation element. The fixation element may include a connector. The connector may be positioned within the fixation element so that removal of the connector from the fixation element is inhibited.