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. 20, 2018
Filed:
Mar. 18, 2014
Empire Technology Development Llc, Wilmington, DE (US);
EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A stiffening device useful for orthopedic stabilization assemblies. The present disclosure provides an apparatus and methods for stiffening the rods and screws typically used for correction of orthopedic defects, such as curvature of the spine. An out-of-plane stiffener is attached to the rods and screws in a plurality of locations, thus reducing the tendency of the rods to move. A stiffener is located in a plane posterior to the rods and screws. The stiffener connects to the rods with adjustable but rigid connections and prevents the rods from bending in the sagittal and coronal planes. This prevents rotation and twisting of the rods and thus the vertebrae into which they are implanted. The stiffeners of the present disclosure may also be attached to pedicle screws only. This helps to correct lordosis and kyphosis bending, as well as scoliosis-type bending. The stiffeners may also be used for cranial and facial applications.