Multiple node variable length cross-link device
First Claim
1. A variable length cross-link device for use with orthopaedic rod apparatuses having a pair of rods, comprising:
- at least two coupling elements each having first and second ends, said first ends of each having means for securing to alternative ones of said pair of rods, and said second ends having elongate through holes, at least two of said elongate holes being disposed co-linearly so as to mutually define a passageway;
at least one hinge-post member positionable in said passageway, such that said corresponding at least two coupling elements may translate as said hinge-post slides within said elongate holes and such that said corresponding at least two coupling elements may angulate relative to one another around said hinge-post; and
at least one locking means, mateable with said hinge-post such that when said locking means is engaged thereonto, the corresponding at least two coupling elements are compressed together and thereby crush-locked together and prevented from further relative motion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A compression locking variable length cross-link device having modular components, including rod and/or pedicle screw coupling elements each having a hole which may be disposed co-linearly with respect to other such holes in opposing elements such that a threaded hinge-post may be inserted therein. A nut is utilized to compress the elements together to rigidly secure the elements once they have been properly positioned relative to one another. In an additional set of embodiments, a linkage member having an elongate hole therein may be used to couple similar elements thereto in a similar flexible hinge-post manner such that the elements may be coupled to the linkage member instead of to the opposing elements directly.
337 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A variable length cross-link device for use with orthopaedic rod apparatuses having a pair of rods, comprising:
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at least two coupling elements each having first and second ends, said first ends of each having means for securing to alternative ones of said pair of rods, and said second ends having elongate through holes, at least two of said elongate holes being disposed co-linearly so as to mutually define a passageway; at least one hinge-post member positionable in said passageway, such that said corresponding at least two coupling elements may translate as said hinge-post slides within said elongate holes and such that said corresponding at least two coupling elements may angulate relative to one another around said hinge-post; and at least one locking means, mateable with said hinge-post such that when said locking means is engaged thereonto, the corresponding at least two coupling elements are compressed together and thereby crush-locked together and prevented from further relative motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A variable length cross-link device for use with orthopaedic rod apparatuses having a pair of rods, comprising:
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at least two coupling elements each having first and second ends, said first ends of each having means for securing to alternative ones of said pair of rods, and said second ends having through holes; a linkage member having a flat conformation and an elongate hole formed therein such that each of said at least two coupling elements is positionable relative to said linkage member such that said through hole in said second end thereof is disposed co-linearly with a portion of said elongate hole of said linkage member so as to form a passageway, and wherein said at least two of said at least two coupling elements form at least two spaced apart passageways with separate portions of said elongate hole of said linkage member; at least two hinge-post members, each being positionable in a corresponding one of said at least two passageways, such that said at least two of said at least two coupling elements may translate relative to one another, and relative to the linkage member as said corresponding hinge-posts slide within said elongate hole, and such that said corresponding at least two coupling elements may angulate relative to one another and said linkage member via rotation around said corresponding hinge-posts; and at least two locking means, each being mateable with one of said at least two hinge-post such that when said locking means is engaged thereonto, each corresponding coupling element is compressed against said linkage member thereby being crush-locked together and prevented from further relative motion. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification