Orthopedic connector system
First Claim
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1. An implantable orthopedic connector device, comprising:
- an anchor element including an external thread adapted to be disposed in threaded engagement with bone by rotation of the anchor element about an axis and also including jaws, expansion members, and a hinge region, with the hinge region disposed at a position along the axis that is intermediate the expansion members and the jaws;
an actuation element; and
a bridge member,wherein, with at least a section of the bridge member disposed between the jaws, the actuation element received by the anchor element urges the expansion members apart to bend the anchor element at the hinge region and urging the jaws toward one another and into gripping engagement with the bridge member, thereby fastening the anchor element to the bridge member.
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Abstract
System, including methods, apparatus and components thereof, and kits, for connecting to bone using an anchor element configured to be anchored in bone and having a selectively bendable hinge region. In some embodiments, the system may connect the anchor element to connective tissue, a bridge member, and/or to another anchor element by bending the hinge region while the anchor element is disposed in bone, thereby connecting bone to the connective tissue or bridge member, and/or connecting bone members.
247 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An implantable orthopedic connector device, comprising:
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an anchor element including an external thread adapted to be disposed in threaded engagement with bone by rotation of the anchor element about an axis and also including jaws, expansion members, and a hinge region, with the hinge region disposed at a position along the axis that is intermediate the expansion members and the jaws; an actuation element; and a bridge member, wherein, with at least a section of the bridge member disposed between the jaws, the actuation element received by the anchor element urges the expansion members apart to bend the anchor element at the hinge region and urging the jaws toward one another and into gripping engagement with the bridge member, thereby fastening the anchor element to the bridge member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An implantable orthopedic connector device, comprising:
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a first anchor element and a second anchor element each including bone-engaging structure, the first anchor element defining an axis along which the first anchor element is configured to be advanced into bone and including jaws, expansion members, and a hinge region, with the hinge region disposed at a position along the axis that is intermediate the expansion members and the jaws; an actuation element; and a bridge member coupled to the second anchor element, wherein, with at least a section of the bridge member disposed between the jaws, the actuation element received by the first anchor element urges the expansion members apart to bend the first anchor element at the hinge region and urging the jaws toward one another and into gripping engagement with the bridge member, thereby fastening the first anchor element to the bridge member and connecting the first and second anchor elements to one another via the bridge member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification