Spinal fixation system
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
A fastener assembly for a spinal fixation system that is particularly useful in treatment of pediatric and small-statured patients includes a fastener, an attachment member, and a locking member. The fastener has a lower portion for contacting a bone and an upper portion integral with the lower portion. The upper portion has two open channels. Each channel is configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of a longitudinal or connecting member along its circumference. The attachment member is positionable on the fastener and at least partially covers the channel that receives the longitudinal or connecting member. The locking member is operatively associated with the upper portion of the fastener and secures the attachment member and the longitudinal or connecting member to the fastener.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of fixing a longitudinal member to a vertebra, the method comprising the steps of:
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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; androtating 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of fixing a transverse bar to a vertebra, the method comprising the steps of:
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securing a lower portion of a fastener to a first location of the vertebra, inserting the transverse bar into a first channel of an upper portion of the fastener along a lateral direction; inserting a longitudinal member into a second channel so as to cause the longitudinal member to be received in the second channel, the second channel defined by an inner surface of a hook of the transverse bar; coupling an attachment member to the upper portion such that a slot of the attachment member cooperates with the first channel such that the transverse bar extends therethrough along a direction of elongation that is substantially parallel to a channel axis of the first channel, wherein the channel axis is substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction; advancing a locking member along the upper portion of the fastener so as to drive the attachment member against the transverse bar, thereby fixing the transverse bar between the fastener and the attachment member, the advancing step further including the step of driving the transverse bar from an outer portion of a surface of the attachment member that defines the slot to an inner portion of the surface, wherein the inner portion defines a first distance to a central axis of the fastener, the central axis of the fastener extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to both the lateral direction and the channel axis, and the outer portion defines a second distance to the central axis that is greater than the first distance, wherein the step of inserting the transverse bar further comprises bringing a shaft of the transverse bar into contact with a plurality of serrations defined by the outer portion, and wherein the inner portion is devoid of serrations. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification