Surgically implantable fastening system
First Claim
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1. A fastener for connecting a surgically implantable device for connecting together at least one pair of vertebral bodies of the spinal column, the fastener comprising:
- a) a nut casing defining a central passageway and having an outside surface and an inside surface; and
b) a relaxative polymeric material lining the inside surface.
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a nut to be used in a spinal screw and plate assembly to affix the screw and plate assembly to the spinal bone. The nut has a polymer insert that when contacted with a screw allows a bone plate and screw structure to relax over time.
175 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A fastener for connecting a surgically implantable device for connecting together at least one pair of vertebral bodies of the spinal column, the fastener comprising:
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a) a nut casing defining a central passageway and having an outside surface and an inside surface; and b) a relaxative polymeric material lining the inside surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for surgically implanting a device for connecting together at least one pair of vertebral bodies of the spinal column, the method comprising:
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a) anchoring bone screws into at least two vertebral bodies; b) placing a pedicle plate between the vertebral bodies and longitudinally with the spinal column, said plate defining holes configured to receive the surgical screws and compressively force the bone together at the fracture when the plate is urged against the fractured bone; and c) engaging the threads of each surgical screw with a relaxatively lined nut to urge the plate against the fractured bone for a time sufficient to allow the spinal column to heal but relaxes the compressive force during the course of such healing. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A fastening system for connecting a surgically implantable pedicle plate to a fractured bone, the fastener comprising:
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(a) at least two surgical screws for affixing the pedicle plate across the fracture to fractured parts of the bone and compressing the parts across the fracture; and (b) a nut casing for each screw, said nut casing defining a central passageway and having an outside surface and an inside surface and including a relaxative polymeric lining that engages the inside surface of said casing and receives said surgical screw in a threaded relationship. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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14. A kit for connecting a surgically implantable pedicle plate to a fractured bone said kit comprising:
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(a) a surgically implantable pedicle plate; and (b) a fastener comprising; (1) at least two surgical screws for affixing the pedicle plate across the fracture to fractured parts of the bone and compressing the parts across the fracture; and (2) a nut casing for each screw, said nut casing defining a central passageway and having an outside surface and an inside surface and including a relaxative polymeric lining that engages the inside surface of said casing and receives said surgical screw in a threaded relationship.
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17. A kit for connecting together at least one pair of vertebral bodies of the spinal column with a surgically implantable device, the kit comprising:
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a) a pedicle plate configured to be placed between the vertebral bodies and longitudinally with the spinal column, said plate defining holes configured to receive surgical screws; b) a plurality of surgical screws adapted at a first end to be anchored in the vertebrae and threaded at a second end to pass through said holes in a structural relationship to apply a compressive force with said vertebrae; and c) a nut for each surgical screw, said nut including a nut casing and a polymeric lining within the nut casing, said polymeric lining having a outer surface adapted to engage the nut casing and an inner surface configured to receive the second end of said surgical screw in a threaded engagement, said polymeric lining being capable of sufficient creep to relax the extent of such threaded engagement with time. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A nut for securing a surgically implantable device comprising:
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a) a nut casing which is biocompatible and has a central passageway and a top surface, and b) a relaxative polymeric member insertable within said passageway and capable of engaging a screw member in a threaded relation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification