Self-contouring spinal rod

• US 20080091214A1
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aesculap AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Aesculap AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Richelsoph, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 8,529,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/103
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/6483 the connecting rod having a non-circular section
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/685 Elements to be fitted on the end of screws or wires, e.g. protective caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7029 the entire longitudinal element being flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00845 of moving parts with respect to each other

Abstract

A self-contouring spinal rod assembly. The assembly has a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end. A plurality of rod elements extend along the length, such that each of the plurality of rod elements is in contact with an adjacent rod element. The plurality of rod elements are fixed against movement relative to each other at the distal end. The plurality of rod elements are movable relative to each other along a length proximal the distal end. A method of assembling the spinal rod assembly is also provided.

Claims

1. A self-contouring spinal rod assembly comprising:

a plurality of rod elements forming the spinal rod, the spinal rod having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends;

wherein the plurality of rod elements extend along the length such that each of the plurality of rod elements is in contact with an adjacent rod element, the plurality of rod elements are fixed against movement relative to each other at the distal end, and the plurality of rod elements are movable relative to each other along a length proximal the distal end.

2. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one rod element of the plurality of rod elements has a generally circular cross section.

3. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one rod element of the plurality of rod elements has a generally hexagonal cross section.

4. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a first rod element of the plurality of rod elements is helically wrapped around at least a second rod element of the plurality of rod elements.

5. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a first rod element of the plurality of rod elements is larger in diameter than at least a second rod element of the plurality of rod elements.

6. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end comprises a tapered end.

7. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tip fixedly connected to the distal end.

8. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sheath wrapped around the plurality of rod elements between the distal end and the proximal end.

9. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 8, wherein the sheath is removable from the plurality of rod elements.

10. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 8, wherein the sheath is fixedly connected to the distal end.

11. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 8, wherein the sheath comprises a non-circular interior cross section.

12. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a helically wound elongated strip.

13. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, further comprising a collar disposed about the plurality of rod elements proximal the distal end.

14. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 13, wherein the collar comprises a split collar.

15. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 13, wherein the collar comprises a locking collar.

16. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the locking collar comprises a ratchet.

17. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the locking collar comprises a screw.

18. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of rod elements comprises a lubricious coating.

19. A self-contouring spinal rod assembly comprising:

a rod bundle having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length extending between the distal end and the proximal end;

a tip fixedly connected to the distal end; and

a sheath wrapped around the rod bundle, proximal the distal end.

20. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 19, wherein the rod bundle comprises at least two rods.

21. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 20, wherein a first rod is helically wrapped around at least a second rod.

22. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 19, wherein the sheath is attached to the tip.

23. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 19, further comprising a collar disposed about the rod bundle between the tip and the sheath.

24. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 23, wherein the collar comprises a split collar.

25. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 23, wherein the collar comprises a locking collar.

26. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 25, wherein the locking collar comprises a ratchet.

27. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 25, wherein the locking collar comprises a screw.

28. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 19, wherein the sheath is fixedly connected to the rod bundle.

29. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 19, further comprising a collar disposed about the sheath.

30. The self-contouring spinal rod assembly of claim 19, wherein the tip comprises a taper.

31. A method of assembling a spinal rod assembly comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of rod elements;

bundling the plurality of rod elements into a bundle;

fixedly connecting distal ends of the plurality of rod elements together; and

disposing a covering over the plurality of rod elements, proximal the distal ends.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of fixedly connecting the distal ends comprises fixing a tip over the distal ends.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of disposing a cover over the plurality of rod elements comprises disposing a sheath over the plurality of rod elements.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of disposing the sheath over the plurality of rod elements comprises fixedly connecting the sheath to the plurality of rod elements.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of disposing a cover over the plurality of rod elements comprises disposing a collar over the plurality of rod elements.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of disposing the collar over the plurality of rod elements comprises disposing a split collar over the plurality of rod elements.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of disposing the collar over the plurality of rod elements comprises disposing a ratcheting collar over the plurality of rod elements.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of disposing the collar over the plurality of rod elements comprises securing the collar to the rod elements with a screw.