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Spinal fixation system

  • US 9,504,499 B2
  • Filed: 09/26/2014
  • Issued: 11/29/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of fixing a longitudinal member to a vertebra, the method comprising the steps of:

  • securing a lower portion of a fastener to a first location of the vertebra, by inserting a shaft of the fastener, the shaft elongate along a central axis that extends in a first direction, into the vertebra;

    inserting the longitudinal member into a channel of an upper portion of the fastener along a lateral direction;

    coupling an attachment member to the upper portion such that an inner surface of the attachment member defines a slot that cooperates with the channel to define a passageway configured to capture the longitudinal member such that the longitudinal member extends through the passageway along a direction of elongation that is

         1) substantially parallel to a central channel axis of the channel, and

         2) substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction; and

    rotating a locking member about an axis that does not intersect the longitudinal member, thereby advancing the locking member along the upper portion of the fastener in the first direction which is substantially perpendicular to both the lateral direction and the direction of elongation so as to;

         1) drive the attachment member against the longitudinal member,

         2) drive a portion of the inner surface to a location that is spaced from the central channel axis with respect to the first direction, thereby fixing the longitudinal member between the fastener and the attachment member, and

         3) drive the longitudinal member towards the central axis along the lateral direction.

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