Variable tension spine fixation rod
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A variable stiffness rod configured to span between two or more adjacent vertebral fixation elements, each vertebral fixation element including a channel formed therein configured to receive the variable stiffness rod, the variable stiffness rod elongate along a longitudinal direction, the variable stiffness rod comprising:
- an outer member being an elongated rod-like element having a first end and an opposing second end, the outer member configured to extend through the respective channels of each of the two or more adjacent vertebral fixation elements, the outer member defining an interior cannulation extending between the first and second ends;
an inner tensioning member configured to be disposed in the cannulation of the outer member, the inner tensioning member having a first stiffness; and
an adjustable end cap assembly disposed at least at one of the first and second ends, the adjustable end cap assembly configured to couple the inner tensioning member to the outer member, the adjustable end cap assembly including a translator coupled to the inner tensioning member, wherein a portion of the inner tensioning member is disposed within the translator, the translator configured to move from a first position to a second position relative to the outer member along the longitudinal direction, and an actuator configured to move in a first direction to drive the translator from the first position to the second position, wherein when the translator is in the second position, the inner tensioning member is in an extended state and achieves a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A variable stiffness rod is provided for use in spine stabilization systems. The variable stiffness rod system includes an outer member having a cannulation that retains a flexible tensioning inner member that can be used to adjust the stiffness of the rod via an adjustable end cap assembly that couples the inner member to the outer member at least at one end of the fixation rod.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A variable stiffness rod configured to span between two or more adjacent vertebral fixation elements, each vertebral fixation element including a channel formed therein configured to receive the variable stiffness rod, the variable stiffness rod elongate along a longitudinal direction, the variable stiffness rod comprising:
-
an outer member being an elongated rod-like element having a first end and an opposing second end, the outer member configured to extend through the respective channels of each of the two or more adjacent vertebral fixation elements, the outer member defining an interior cannulation extending between the first and second ends; an inner tensioning member configured to be disposed in the cannulation of the outer member, the inner tensioning member having a first stiffness; and an adjustable end cap assembly disposed at least at one of the first and second ends, the adjustable end cap assembly configured to couple the inner tensioning member to the outer member, the adjustable end cap assembly including a translator coupled to the inner tensioning member, wherein a portion of the inner tensioning member is disposed within the translator, the translator configured to move from a first position to a second position relative to the outer member along the longitudinal direction, and an actuator configured to move in a first direction to drive the translator from the first position to the second position, wherein when the translator is in the second position, the inner tensioning member is in an extended state and achieves a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A kit comprising a plurality of variable stiffness rods, each variable stiffness rod configured to span between two or more adjacent vertebral fixation elements, each vertebral fixation element including a channel formed therein configured to receive the variable stiffness rod, each variable stiffness rod elongate along a longitudinal direction, each variable stiffness rod comprising:
-
an outer member being an elongated rod-like element having a first end and an opposing second end, the outer member configured to extend through the respective channels of each of the two or more adjacent vertebral fixation elements, the outer member defining an interior cannulation extending between the first and second ends; an inner tensioning member configured to be disposed in the cannulation of the outer member, the inner tensioning member having a first stiffness; and an adjustable end cap assembly disposed at least at one of the first and second ends, the adjustable end cap assembly configured to couple the inner tensioning member to the outer member, the adjustable end cap assembly including a translator coupled to the inner tensioning member, and an actuator configured to move the translator from a first position into a second position, wherein when the translator is in the second position, the inner tensioning member is in an extended state and achieves a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness, wherein at least one of the variable stiffness rods has a different curvature with respect to one of the other variable stiffness rods, and the translator surrounds at least a portion of the inner tensioning member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification