Granted Patent B2

US 7,819,902 · App. 11/048,189 · Granted Oct 26, 2010

Abstract

Claims (64)

1. An assembly comprising:

a bendable ball ring;

a stem component comprising a bendable and expandable round hollow male bulbous end;

a bone fixator component comprising a female socket that receives said bulbous end of said stem component;

a connector comprising:

a first aperture that receives said stem component; and

a second aperture that receives said bendable ball ring, wherein said second aperture is positioned transverse to said first aperture;

a blocker pin that engages said stem component and expands said bulbous end; wherein said stem component further comprises: a threaded open end opposite said bulbous end, wherein said bulbous end comprises a plurality of slots; and a hole in said bulbous end terminating at said plurality of slots, wherein said hole receives said blocker pin.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said bone fixator component comprises:

a threaded end; and

a pocket end opposite said threaded end.

3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein said pocket end comprises:

a concave inner portion; and

a dimpled outer portion.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said ball ring comprises:

a curved body having a plurality of trans-radial cuts; and

a hole configured in said curved body and adapted to receive a longitudinal member.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein said second aperture accommodates said ball ring and receives a longitudinal member.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first aperture receives an open end of said stem component, and wherein said open end of said stem component is positioned opposite to said bulbous end.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises:

a medial portion comprising said second aperture; and

a pair of prongs connected by said medial portion, wherein said pair of prongs comprise said first aperture.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a gap separating said pair of prongs.

9. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein said blocker pin comprises:

a lower section that fits into said hole in said bulbous end of said stem component;

a threaded portion adjacent to said lower section and adapted to mate with said threaded open end of said stem component; and

an upper section adjacent to said threaded portion.

10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein said upper section engages one of said pair of prongs of said stem component.

11. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said bulbous end locks into said female socket.

12. A pedicle screw assembly comprising:

a longitudinal member;

a bendable ball ring adapted to receive said longitudinal member;

a poly stem comprising a bendable male bulbous end;

a connector comprising:

a pair of first apertures adapted to receive said poly stem;

a second aperture adapted to receive said ball ring and said longitudinal member, wherein said second aperture is transverse to said first aperture;

a medial portion comprising said second aperture; and

a pair of prongs connected by said medial portion, wherein said pair of prongs comprise said pair of first apertures;

a bone fixator component comprising a female socket adapted to receive said poly stem; and

a blocker pin adapted to engage said poly stem and to secure said longitudinal member.

13. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein said poly stem further comprises:

a threaded open end opposite said bulbous end, wherein said bulbous end comprises a plurality of slots;

a hole in said bulbous end terminating at said plurality of slots, wherein said hole is adapted to receive said blocker pin.

14. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein said blocker pin comprises:

a lower section adapted to fit into said hole in said bulbous end of said poly stem;

a threaded portion adjacent to said lower section and adapted to mate with said threaded open end of said poly stem; and

an upper section adjacent to said threaded portion,

wherein said upper section is adapted to engage one of said pair of prongs of said poly stem.

15. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein said pair of first apertures is adapted to receive said poly stem.

16. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein said bulbous end fits into said female socket.

17. A method of assembling a pedicle screw assembly, said method comprising:

attaching a stem component comprising a male bulbous end to a bone fixator component comprising a female socket;

securing said bone fixator component in a bone;

engaging a connector over said stem component, wherein said connector comprises:

a first aperture for receiving said stem component;

a second aperture transverse to said first aperture;

a medial portion comprising said second aperture; and

a pair of prongs connected by said medial portion, wherein said pair of prongs comprise said first aperture;

inserting a ball ring into said second aperture of said connector;

inserting a longitudinal member in said ball ring;

inserting a blocker pin in said first aperture of said connector; and

engaging said blocker pin with said stem component.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein engagement of said blocker pin with said stem component causes expansion of said male bulbous end of said stem component in said female socket of said bone fixator component.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein engagement of said blocker pin with said stem component causes tightening of said ball ring thereby causing said ball ring to secure said longitudinal member.

Assignments (7)