Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A vertebral locking and retrieving system comprising: a plurality of horizontal locking and retrieving member sets, with each of said sets comprising a locking rod retainer having two opposing sides and two locking member retainers, each of said locking member retainers including a first portion fastened to a respective one of said opposing sides of said locking rod retainer and a second portion defining a retaining mount; a plurality of vertebral locking members, each of said vertebral locking members having a first end adapted to be secured within a respective vertebra and a second end fastened to a respective one of said retaining mounts; a central locking rod adapted to extend between and to be mounted to said locking rod retainers; and connecting means for fastening the second ends of said vertebral locking members to respective retaining mounts of said locking member retainers and for fastening said central locking rod to said locking rod retainers of said horizontal locking and retrieving member sets; wherein a horizontal locking of a vertebra is achieved by said horizontal locking and retrieving member sets while a longitudinal locking of said vertebra is attained by said central locking rod connecting said horizontal locking and retrieving member sets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A vertebral locking and retrieving system comprising: a plurality of horizontal locking and retrieving member sets, with each of said sets comprising a locking rod retainer having two opposing sides and two locking member retainers, each of said locking member retainers including a first portion fastened to a respective one of said opposing sides of said locking rod retainer and a second portion defining a retaining mount; a plurality of vertebral locking members, each of said vertebral locking members having a first end adapted to be secured within a respective vertebra and a second end fastened to a respective one of said retaining mounts; a central locking rod adapted to extend between and to be mounted to said locking rod retainers; and connecting means for fastening the second ends of said vertebral locking members to respective retaining mounts of said locking member retainers and for fastening said central locking rod to said locking rod retainers of said horizontal locking and retrieving member sets; wherein a horizontal locking of a vertebra is achieved by said horizontal locking and retrieving member sets while a longitudinal locking of said vertebra is attained by said central locking rod connecting said horizontal locking and retrieving member sets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 1, wherein the first end of each of said vertebral locking members comprises a threaded portion, each threaded portion being adapted to be threadably secured with a respective vertebra.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 1, wherein each of said locking rod retainers includes a retaining mount in the form of a slot adapted to receive said central locking rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 3, wherein said central locking rod is formed with an elongated slot and said connecting means for fastening said central locking rod to said locking rod retainers includes a plurality of connecting members, each of said connecting members being attached to a respective one of said locking rod retainers and extending into said elongated slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 3, wherein the slot of said retaining mount for said central locking rod is generally U-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 5, further including a fastening block carried by said central locking rod, said fastening block being adapted to be received and secured within said U-shaped slot of said retaining mount for said central locking rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 3, further including a spherical collar carried by said central locking rod, said spherical collar being adapted to be pivotally mounted within a respective one of said retaining mounts of said central locking rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 1, wherein the first portion of each of said locking member retainers is threadably secured within a respective one of said opposing sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 1, wherein each of said locking rod retainers defines a roughened portion to which the second end of a respective one of said vertebral locking members is attached.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 1, wherein each of said locking rod retainers includes a hole extending therethrough which defines a retaining mount for said central locking rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vertebral locking and retrieving system of claim 1, wherein the retaining mount defined at the second portion of each of said locking member retainers comprises a spherical collar which is pivotally attached to the second end of a respective one of said vertebral locking members.