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:
Oct. 12, 2010
Filed:
May. 04, 2005
Daniel R. Baker, Seattle, WA (US);
Carly A. Thaler, Seattle, WA (US);
Alex E. Kunzler, Issaquah, WA (US);
Anthony V. Finazzo, Lake Forest Park, WA (US);
Daniel R. Baker, Seattle, WA (US);
Carly A. Thaler, Seattle, WA (US);
Alex E. Kunzler, Issaquah, WA (US);
Anthony V. Finazzo, Lake Forest Park, WA (US);
Spinefrontier, Inc, Beverly, MA (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a locking mechanism and method of locking the relative positions of a fixation device like a bone screw and of a stabilization device like a rod. The locking mechanism includes a seat, a washer and a cap. The seat includes a bottom portion configured to receive the fixation device such that a socket of the bottom portion engages part of the fixation device and prevents the fixation device from passing entirely therethrough. The seat further includes a side portion configured to receive the stabilization device, a washer and a cap. When the washer and cap are fully engaged with the seat, the fixation device may be locked independent of the stabilization device. The locking mechanism may also include a locking element for locking the stabilization device.