Self-contouring spinal rod
First Claim
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1. A self-contouring spinal rod assembly comprising:
- a plurality of parallel rod elements directly contacting one another in slidable engagement, the spinal rod assembly having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends; and
a sheath extending over the plurality of rod elements between the distal end and the proximal end, the sheath having an outer perimeter that is circular in cross section, the circular outer perimeter extending uniformly along the length of the sheath,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, the distal end comprising a tip, the tip comprising a cylindrical tubular cap having an open end and a closed end, the cap forming a bore exposed at the open end, the ends of the rod elements received through the open end and into the bore, the ends fixed in the bore against movement relative to each other at the distal end.
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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.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A self-contouring spinal rod assembly comprising:
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a plurality of parallel rod elements directly contacting one another in slidable engagement, the spinal rod assembly having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends; and a sheath extending over the plurality of rod elements between the distal end and the proximal end, the sheath having an outer perimeter that is circular in cross section, the circular outer perimeter extending uniformly along the length of the sheath, 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, the distal end comprising a tip, the tip comprising a cylindrical tubular cap having an open end and a closed end, the cap forming a bore exposed at the open end, the ends of the rod elements received through the open end and into the bore, the ends fixed in the bore against movement relative to each other at the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A self-contouring spinal rod assembly comprising:
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a rod bundle having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the rod bundle comprising a plurality of generally parallel rods directly contacting one another in slidable engagement; a tip fixedly connected to the distal end; and a sheath extending over the plurality of rods between the distal end and the proximal end, the sheath having an outer perimeter that is circular in cross section, the circular outer perimeter extending uniformly along the length of the sheath, proximal the distal end, wherein the tip comprises a cylindrical tubular cap having an open end and a closed end, the cap forming a bore exposed at the open end, the ends of the rods received through the open end and into the bore, the ends of the rods fixed in the bore against movement relative to each other at the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of assembling a spinal rod assembly comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of rod elements; bundling the plurality of rod elements into a bundle, the rod elements bundled in a generally parallel arrangement and directly contacting one another in slidable engagement; fixing a tip over the distal ends of the plurality of rod elements to fixedly connect the distal ends of the plurality of rod elements together, the tip comprising a cylindrical tubular cap having an open end and a closed end, the cap forming a bore exposed at the open end, the ends of the rod elements received through the open end and into the bore, the ends fixed in the bore against movement relative to each other at the distal end; and disposing a covering over the plurality of rod elements, proximal the distal ends, the covering having an outer perimeter that is circular in cross section, the circular outer perimeter extending uniformly along the length of the covering. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification