Bone anchor head converter
Inventors
Lubensky, Scott • Harper, Ryan • LENGYEL, REBECCA BOERIGTER • Daniels, David Wayne • Luhmann, Scott J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12558130-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pedicle screw tulip head converter. The converter can have a first portion joined to a second portion. The first portion can have a surface parallel to a first portion plane, and an opening defining a first portion axis. The second portion can extend from the first portion and can have a surface parallel to a second portion plane, the second portion plane being perpendicular to the first portion plane. The second portion can have a curved surface that defines a second portion axis, the second portion axis being perpendicular to and coplanar with the first axis.
Core Innovation
The invention describes converters that retrofit an open-style pedicle screw tulip head to provide closed-head rod retention. The disclosed configurations include a partial-cylindrical rod-surrounding portion, full- or partial-lobed converters with enclosed rod openings, and a cap-style converter with a circular lip and external threads. The converter portions are arranged to align with the tulip-head set-screw axis and spinal-rod axis.
The converter reduces tulip-head splaying and set-screw loosening. The claims also cover methods for converting an open-style tulip head pedicle screw to a closed-style pedicle screw.
Claims Coverage
The six independent claims are claims 1, 5, 8, 14, 15, and 16. They cover four converter configurations and two methods for converting an open-style tulip head pedicle screw to a closed-style pedicle screw.
Converter with a partial cylindrical-shaped surface
Claim 1 covers a converter with first and second portions, where the second portion has a partial cylindrical-shaped surface defining an axis perpendicular to and coplanar with the first portion axis. When installed, the second portion axis is coaxial with the axis of the spinal rod channel.
Method for converting an open-style tulip head pedicle screw
Claim 5 covers a method using a converter implant with first and second portions and a partial cylindrical-shaped surface. The portions are aligned so that the first portion axis corresponds to the tulip-head set-screw axis and the second portion axis is coaxial with the spinal-rod axis.
Converter with two lobe openings
Claim 8 covers a converter whose second portion has two spaced-apart, parallel lobes, each with a closed perimeter forming an opening. When installed, the openings are on opposite sides of the tulip head and coaxial with the axis of its spinal rod channel.
Converter with a shaped extension
Claim 14 covers a converter with first and second portions oriented in perpendicular planes and a partial cylindrical-shaped surface. The surface has a shaped extension spanning an included angle of 10 to 90 degrees, and the second portion axis is coaxial with the spinal rod channel axis when installed.
Conversion method using two enclosed lobe openings
Claim 15 covers a method for converting an open-style tulip head pedicle screw to a closed-style pedicle screw using a converter member with first and second portions. The second portion comprises two lobes, each with a closed perimeter defining an enclosed opening, and the axes align with the tulip-head set-screw axis and spinal-rod axis.
Cap-style converter with a surrounding lip
Claim 16 covers a cap-style converter with a first portion that covers and partially surrounds the tulip head and an integrally formed circular lip that completely surrounds it. External threads extend from the first portion, are coaxial with the second portion, and are configured to engage the tulip head’s internal threads.
The independent claims cover converter structures that align with the tulip-head set-screw and spinal-rod axes, converters with lobe openings or a shaped extension, a cap-style threaded converter, and methods for converting an open-style tulip head pedicle screw to a closed-style configuration.
Stated Advantages
The converter reduces tulip-head splaying and set-screw loosening.
Documented Applications
Converting an open-style tulip head pedicle screw to a closed-style pedicle screw.
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