Patent NL9401744A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5254118A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5254118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three dimensional spine fixation system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-12-04
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Granted: 1993-10-19
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Expires: 2011-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A three dimensional spine fixation system includes a rigid rod spanning the length of spine to be fixed, a plurality of threaded fasteners to be embedded in the spine, and at least two connectors for connecting the rod to the fasteners. The connectors are extremely adaptable to virtually any desired path for the rod, being fixably movable longitudinally, transversely, or angularly relative to the fasteners, as well as rotationally about the fasteners and rotationally about a predetermined axis angled with respect to the fasteners. By properly positioning the connectors and fasteners, the rod can be easily positioned without bending for virtually any anatomy, due to the ability to move the connectors multi-axially and in three dimensions.
Inventors
- 👤 Srdjian Mirkovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7035; A61B17/7038; A61B17/7041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
An internal spine fixation system comprising: a rigid elongated means for positioning over said spine; a plurality of fasteners, each having a longitudinal dimension with a proximal end for securing to said spine at a preselected location, and a distal end, said fasteners also each having a linear groove extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said fasteners; means for connecting said elongated means to said fasteners, said connecting means each having a first member mounted on said distal end of said fasteners, said connecting means further having a second member connected to said first member along a slide pin extending between said first and second members at an angle relative to said longitudinal dimension of said fastener, said connecting means movable longitudinally and rotationally along substantially the entire length of said fasteners to a desired fixed position, said second member also movable to a desired fixed position toward or away from said fasteners along said slide pin; said connecting means further having an upper surface with an open slot for receiving said elongated means, said slot extending downwardly from said upper surface and across the width of said connecting means; means for locking said elongated means within said slot; and means engaging both said connecting means and said fastener grooves so as to lock said connecting means to said fasteners at a selected location anywhere along substantially the entire length of said fastener and to resist rotation of said connecting means around said fasteners; whereby engagement of said connecting means with said groove provides rigid fixation of said fastener, elongated means and connecting means by limiting rotational and translational movement around and along said fastener.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
An internal spine fixation system comprising: a rigid elongated means for positioning over said spine; a plurality of fasteners, each having a longitudinal dimension with a proximal end for securing to said spine at a preselected location, and a distal end, said fasteners also each having a linear groove extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said fasteners; means for connecting said elongated means to said fasteners, said connecting means each having a first member mounted on said distal end of said fasteners, said connecting means further having a second member connected to said first member along a slide pin extending between said first and second members at an angle relative to said longitudinal dimension of said fastener, said connecting means movable longitudinally and rotationally along substantially the entire length of said fasteners to a desired fixed position, said second member also movable to a desired fixed position toward or away from said fasteners along said slide pin; said connecting means further having an upper surface with an open slot for receiving said elongated means, said slot extending downwardly from said upper surface and across the width of said connecting means; means for locking said elongated means within said slot; and means engaging both said connecting means and said fastener grooves so as to lock said connecting means to said fasteners at a selected location anywhere along substantially the entire length of said fastener and to resist rotation of said connecting means around said fasteners; whereby engagement of said connecting means with said groove provides rigid fixation of said fastener, elongated means and connecting means by limiting rotational and translational movement around and along said fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
251 words
An internal spine fixation system comprising: elongated means for providing rigidity to the spine; a plurality of connectors for attachment to said elongated means, said connectors each having a first member with an aperture extending through said first member, and a second member having a rod-receiving slot, said first member slidably connected to said second member along a slide pin extending between said first and second members, said second member mounted for rotation about said slide pin; means for locking said second member anywhere along substantially said entire slide pin so as to fix the rotational and translational position of said second member relative to said first member; a fastener for each of said first members having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end for engagement with one of said apertures in said connectors and said proximal end for affixation in said spine; a height adjustment means engaging each of said connectors for selectively changing the position of each of said connectors along the length of said fasteners and the height of said connectors above said proximal end; and wherein each of said first members has a pair of parallel guides along its top surface, said guides defining a channel between them, and wherein said height adjustment means comprises a nut for engagement with each of said fasteners, said nut having a flange seated in said channel and lockingly engaged beneath said guides, whereby rotation of said nut moves said first member along the length of said fastener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
An internal spine fixation system comprising: elongated means for providing rigidity to the spine; a plurality of connectors for attachment to said elongated means, said connectors each having a first member with an aperture extending through said first member, and a second member having a rod-receiving slot, said first member slidably connected to said second member along a slide pin extending between said first and second members, said second member mounted for rotation about said slide pin; means for locking said second member anywhere along substantially said entire slide pin so as to fix the rotational and translational position of said second member relative to said first member; a fastener for each of said first members having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end for engagement with one of said apertures in said connectors and said proximal end for affixation in said spine; a height adjustment means engaging each of said connectors for selectively changing the position of each of said connectors along the length of said fasteners and the height of said connectors above said proximal end; and wherein each of said first members has a pair of parallel guides along its top surface, said guides defining a channel between them, and wherein said height adjustment means comprises a nut for engagement with each of said fasteners, said nut having a flange seated in said channel and lockingly engaged beneath said guides, whereby rotation of said nut moves said first member along the length of said fastener.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-10-18 | 1997-04-19 | 1997-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-18 | 2001-04-19 | 2001-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-18 | 2005-04-19 | 2005-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |