Adjustable coupling systems for spinal stabilization members
First Claim
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1. A spinal stabilization system, comprising:
- a first elongated stabilization member positionable along at least one vertebra and extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end;
a second elongated stabilization member positionable along at least one other vertebra and extending along said longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, wherein said first end of said first stabilization member and said second end of said second stabilization member are positioned adjacent to one another;
a first bone anchor engageable to the at least one vertebra and engaged to the second end of the first stabilization member;
a second bone anchor engageable to the at least one other vertebra and engaged to the first end of the second stabilization member; and
a coupling system including a first member having a first end engaged to an end portion at said first end of said first stabilization member, wherein said first member includes a first wall section around said first passage adjacent said first end of said first member and a second wall section around said first passage that is spaced away from said first end of said first member, said first wall section defining a greater width than said second wall section and said first member further comprising a tapered wall section extending between said first wall section and said second wall section; and
a second end engaged to said second end of said second stabilization member, wherein said coupling system further includes a lock coupled between said first member and said end portion of said first stabilization member that has a locked position configured to maintain a relative axial positioning of said first and second stabilization members, wherein said lock includes a lock body extending about said end portion of said first stabilization member and a locking element configured to enter into at least one opening in said lock body when in a locked position wherein said lock body and said end portion are received in a first passage opening at said first end of said first member;
said lock further includes a biasing member biasing said lock body into said first passage to said locked position, andsaid tapered wall section contacts said locking element and forces said locking element into said at least one opening in said lock body to contact said end portion of said first stabilization member in said first passage of said first member, andsaid lock being movable along said longitudinal axis to release said end portion of said first stabilization member from said first member to allow the relative axial positioning of said first and second stabilization members to be adjusted.
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Abstract
A spinal stabilization system includes a first stabilization member and a second stabilization member engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion. A coupling system adjustably secures the stabilization members in axial position relative to one another while allowing the relative axial positioning to be adjusted to accommodate growth or other condition or arrangement.
75 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A spinal stabilization system, comprising:
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a first elongated stabilization member positionable along at least one vertebra and extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end; a second elongated stabilization member positionable along at least one other vertebra and extending along said longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, wherein said first end of said first stabilization member and said second end of said second stabilization member are positioned adjacent to one another; a first bone anchor engageable to the at least one vertebra and engaged to the second end of the first stabilization member; a second bone anchor engageable to the at least one other vertebra and engaged to the first end of the second stabilization member; and a coupling system including a first member having a first end engaged to an end portion at said first end of said first stabilization member, wherein said first member includes a first wall section around said first passage adjacent said first end of said first member and a second wall section around said first passage that is spaced away from said first end of said first member, said first wall section defining a greater width than said second wall section and said first member further comprising a tapered wall section extending between said first wall section and said second wall section; and a second end engaged to said second end of said second stabilization member, wherein said coupling system further includes a lock coupled between said first member and said end portion of said first stabilization member that has a locked position configured to maintain a relative axial positioning of said first and second stabilization members, wherein said lock includes a lock body extending about said end portion of said first stabilization member and a locking element configured to enter into at least one opening in said lock body when in a locked position wherein said lock body and said end portion are received in a first passage opening at said first end of said first member; said lock further includes a biasing member biasing said lock body into said first passage to said locked position, and said tapered wall section contacts said locking element and forces said locking element into said at least one opening in said lock body to contact said end portion of said first stabilization member in said first passage of said first member, and said lock being movable along said longitudinal axis to release said end portion of said first stabilization member from said first member to allow the relative axial positioning of said first and second stabilization members to be adjusted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A spinal stabilization system, comprising:
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a first elongated stabilization member positionable along at least one vertebra and extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end; a second elongated stabilization member positionable along at least one other vertebra and extending along said longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, wherein said first end of said first stabilization member and said second end of said second stabilization member are positioned adjacent to one another, wherein said first and second elongated stabilization members include a combined length from said second of said first stabilization member to said first end of said second stabilization member sized to at least extend across a spinal disc space to vertebrae adjacent the spinal disc space; and a coupling system including a lock, a first member having a first end engaged to an end portion at said first end of said first stabilization member and a second end engaged to said second end of said second stabilization member, wherein said end portion of said first stabilization member is engaged in a passage of said first member by said lock being axially biased to a locked position to maintain a relative axial positioning of said first and second stabilization members, wherein said coupling system includes a lock body in said first passage between said end portion of said first stabilization member and said first member, said coupling member further including a biasing member engaged between said first member and said lock body to normally bias said lock body to said locked position, and said coupling system being operable to release said end portion from said locked portion to allow the relative axial positioning of said first and second stabilization members to be adjusted. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification