Pedicle screw, cervical screw and rod
A rod for interconnecting at least two pedicle screws implanted in adjacent vertebrae of a spine and/or the rod itself includes a metal or metal alloy of substantial nickel content; and an outer layer of ceramic coating the metal such that exposure of the nickel to a patient is inhibited.
1 . A rod for interconnecting at least two pedicle screws implanted in adjacent vertebrae of a spine, comprising:
an elongate shaft formed of a metal or metal alloy of substantial nickel content; and
an outer layer of ceramic coating the shaft such that exposure of the nickel to a patient is inhibited.
2 . The rod of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is formed of at least one of a cobalt chromium alloy and a steel alloy.
3 . The rod of claim 2 , wherein the outer layer is formed of titanium nitrite.
4 . The rod of claim 2 , wherein the shaft is formed of stainless steel.
5 . The rod of claim 1 , wherein the rod is adapted for use in a lumbar region of the spine and a diameter of the shaft is between about 4.03 to 6.12 mm.
6 . The rod of claim 1 , wherein the rod is adapted for use in a lumbar region of the spine and a diameter of the shaft is between about 4.00 to 5.25 mm.
7 . The rod of claim 1 , wherein the rod is adapted for use in a thoracic region of the spine and a diameter of the shaft is between about 2.96 to 4.95 mm.
8 . The rod of claim 1 , wherein the rod is adapted for use in a thoracic region of the spine and a diameter of the shaft is between about 2.90 to 3.85 mm.
9 . The rod of claim 1 , wherein the rod is adapted for use in a cervical region of the spine and a diameter of the shaft is between about 1.44 to 2.52 mm.
10 . The rod of claim 1 , wherein the rod is adapted for use in a cervical region of the spine and a diameter of the shaft is between about 1.40 to 1.85 mm.
11 . The rod of claim 1 , wherein a concentration of nickel in the metal or metal alloy is more than about 0.3%.
12 . A screw for implantation into spinal vertebrae, comprising:
a metal or metal alloy of substantial nickel content; and
an outer layer of ceramic coating the metal such that exposure of the nickel to a patient is inhibited.
13 . The screw of claim 12 , wherein the metal or metal alloy is formed of at least one of a cobalt chromium alloy and a steel alloy.
14 . The screw of claim 13 , wherein the metal or metal alloy is formed of stainless steel.
15 . The screw of claim 12 , wherein the outer layer is formed of titanium nitrite.
16 . The screw of claim 12 , further comprising:
a threaded shaft having a minor diameter and a major diameter;
a neck depending from one end of the threaded shaft; and
an at least partially spherical head coupled to the neck.
17 . The screw of claim 16 , wherein the screw is adapted for use in a lumbar region of the spine and at least one of:
the minor diameter is in the range of about 1.65 mm to about 2.87 mm; and
the neck diameter in the range of about 2.29 mm to about 4.99 mm.
18 . The screw of claim 16 , wherein the screw is adapted for use in a lumbar region of the spine and at least one of:
the minor diameter is in the range of about 1.60 mm to about 2.75 mm; and
the neck diameter in the range of about 2.25 mm to about 3.85 mm.
19 . The screw of claim 16 , wherein the screw is adapted for use in a thoracic region of the spine and at least one of:
the minor diameter is in the range of about 1.75 mm to about 3.10 mm; and
the neck diameter in the range of about 1.84 to about 3.78 mm.
20 . The screw of claim 16 , wherein the screw is adapted for use in a thoracic region of the spine and at least one of:
the minor diameter is in the range of about 1.70 mm to about 2.95 mm; and
the neck diameter in the range of about 1.80 mm to about 3.05 mm.
21 . The screw of claim 16 , wherein the screw is adapted for use in a cervical region of the spine and at least one of:
the minor diameter is in the range of about 1.17 mm to about 2.04 mm; and
the neck diameter in the range of about 1.26 to about 2.58 mm.
22 . The screw of claim 16 , wherein the screw is adapted for use in a cervical region of the spine and at least one of:
the minor diameter is in the range of 1.10 mm to about 1.95 mm; and
the neck diameter in the range of about 1.20 mm to about 2.05 mm.
23 . The screw of claim 12 , wherein a concentration of nickel in the metal or metal alloy is more than about 0.3%.