Bone anchors with cord retention features
Inventors
Detlefsen, Rick • Prygoski, Matthew • Daniels, David W. • Tozakoglou, Evangelos
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12082848-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for coupling two or more bones together with a flexible connector.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a bone anchor for a flexible connector that includes a head with a top including a threaded receptacle, an internal pocket, and a laterally extending pathway open to the top for passage of a flexible connector. The anchor includes a member received within the pocket, where a pair of arms extends within the pathway to define an open corridor therebetween for passage, and at least one arm includes a first abutting surface.
The anchor includes a set screw with a bottom and a second abutting surface that is threadably coupled to the threaded receptacle. Tightening the set screw brings the first and second abutting surfaces into contact, and the bottom of the set screw and the arms establish a fixed cross-sectional area to the corridor for fixed capture and compression of the flexible connector.
The bone anchor also includes a base with an aperture and a plurality of bone penetrating projections, and a bone fastener having a threaded portion for fastening to bone. The intermediate portion of the bone fastener includes a spherical outer surface, while the aperture includes an inner conical surface with a portion narrower than the spherical outer surface; in another aspect, the contact occurs distal to a circumferential groove adapted and configured for receiving a flexible connector.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims, each directed to a bone anchor for a flexible connector with a tightening action that forms a defined connector corridor or conical interface, and both include bone fastener and head/base structures with specified geometric mating surfaces.
Bone anchor with threaded receptacle pathway corridor and set-screw defined fixed cross-sectional area
A head including a threaded receptacle and a laterally extending pathway open to the top adapted for passage of a flexible connector; a member with a pair of arms extending within the pathway defining an open corridor therebetween for passage, wherein at least one arm includes a first abutting surface; a set screw threadably coupled to the threaded receptacle and having a bottom and a second abutting surface; and wherein tightening brings the first and second abutting surfaces into contact and the bottom of the set screw and the arms establish a fixed cross-sectional area to the corridor.
Bone fastener spherical intermediate portion mating with conical aperture inner surface portion narrower than spherical outer surface
A base including an aperture and plurality of bone penetrating projections, and a bone fastener having a driving portion, a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone, and an intermediate portion receivable within the aperture; wherein the intermediate portion has a spherical outer surface and the aperture has an inner conical surface including a portion narrower than the spherical outer surface.
Bone anchor with conical aperture mating contact distal to circumferential groove
A bone fastener received in a base including an aperture for receiving therein and interior walls surrounding the aperture including a conically-shaped portion; a pocket surrounding the aperture including a circumferential groove adapted and configured for receiving a flexible connector and at least one bone penetrating projection; a head having a bottom received within the pocket and a top including a threaded receptacle and an interior; and a member releasably coupled to the interior of the head having a corridor for passage of a flexible connector, together with a set screw threadably coupled to the threaded receptacle; wherein subsequent tightening brings contact of the rounded exterior surface within the conically-shaped portion, with the contact distal to the circumferential groove.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage centers on a bone anchor that uses a set screw to create a defined corridor/cross-sectional area for a flexible connector and establishes specified geometric mating between a bone fastener intermediate exterior surface and an inner conical surface of the aperture, with an additional requirement that in one claim the conical contact is distal to a circumferential groove for the flexible connector.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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