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. 31, 2004
Filed:
May. 15, 1997
Chih-I Lin, Diamond Bar, CA (US);
David Nichols, Memphis, TN (US);
Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Allendale, NJ (US);
Abstract
A transverse connector clip for connecting cylindrical rods to each other in a spinal fixation system, comprising a clip body having a two sides. The first side of the clip body has a longitudinal axis and a pair of mirror image hemi-cylindrical shells. These hemi-cylindrical shells have an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of a cylindrical rod. The clip body is shaped so as to allow the hemi-cylindrical shells to spread around the cylindrical rod when the cylindrical rod is inserted between said shells and to securely clamp on the cylindrical rod at a 90° angle relative to the clip body The second side of the clip body can comprise one of several embodiments; a short laterally extending hemi-cylinder rod, a laterally extending hemi-cylinder rod with a plurality of vertical teeth, a second pair of mirror image hemi-cylindrical shells, a laterally extending rod tapering from a proximal cylindrical shape to a distal hemi-cylinder shape, or a body portion and a locking mechanism configured to receive and lock a hemi-cylindrical or cylindrical rod.