Dual rod cross connectors and inserter tools
View Patent ↗An implantable spinal cross connector is provided for connecting one or more spinal fixation devices, and more preferably for connecting two spinal fixation rods that are implanted within a patient's spinal system. In general, an exemplary cross connector in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate body with at least one rod-receiving recess formed therein, and a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the elongate body and that is effective to lock a spinal fixation rod within the rod-receiving recess(es). The present invention also provides an inserter tool to facilitate implanting a spinal implant or device, such as a spinal cross connector.
1. An implantable spinal cross connector, comprising:
an elongate body having an opening and first and second rod-receiving recesses formed therein;
a first cavity formed in the elongate body and extending between the opening and the first rod-receiving recess;
a second cavity formed in the elongate body and extending between the opening and the second rod-receiving recess;
a first rod-engaging member linearly slidably disposed within the first cavity;
a second rod-engaging member linearly slidably disposed within the second cavity; and
a locking mechanism configured to be received in the opening and to simultaneously linearly slide the first and second rod-engaging members in opposed directions in the first and second cavities to lock first and second spinal fixation rods within the first and second rod-receiving recesses.
2. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 1 , wherein a bottom portion of the first and second rod-engaging members has a width that is greater than a width of a top portion of the first and second rod-engaging members.
3. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a proximal, threaded portion configured to engage the opening and a distal, non-threaded portion configured to engage the first and second rod-engaging members.
4. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 3 , wherein the distal portion of the locking mechanism tapers in a distal direction.
5. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 4 , wherein a surface of the first and second rod-engaging members that faces the opening is substantially concave to seat the tapered distal portion of the locking mechanism.
6. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 1 , further comprising first and second pin members extending through the elongate body and into grooves formed in the first and second rod-engaging members to slidably retain the first and second rod-engaging members within the first and second cavities.
7. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 1 , wherein the first and second cavities extend at a downward angle from the opening toward the first and second rod-receiving recesses.
8. An implantable spinal cross connector, comprising:
an elongate body having an opening, first and second cavities, and first and second rod-receiving recesses formed therein;
first and second rod-engaging members linearly slidably disposed within the first and second cavities; and
a locking mechanism configured to be received in the opening of the elongate body and to simultaneously engage a first external surface of the first rod-engaging member and a first external surface of the second rod-engaging member to slidably move the first and second rod-engaging members in opposed directions in the first and second cavities to lock first and second spinal fixation rods within the first and second rod-receiving recesses.
9. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 8 , wherein the first cavity extends between the opening and the first rod-receiving recess and the second cavity extends between the opening and the second rod-receiving recess.
10. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 8 , wherein the first cavity extends at a downward angle from the opening toward the first rod-receiving recess and the second cavity extends at a downward angle from the opening toward the second rod-receiving recess.
11. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 8 , wherein the first rod-engaging member has a first external surface facing the opening and a second external surface facing the first rod-receiving recess and the second rod-engaging member has a first external surface facing the opening and a second external surface facing the second rod-receiving recess.
12. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 11 , wherein the first external surface of the first rod-engaging member and the first external surface of the second rod-engaging member are substantially concave.
13. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism has a tapered portion configured to engage the first external surfaces of the first and second rod-engaging members and to apply a force to the first and second rod-engaging members to lock the first and second spinal fixation rods within the first and second rod-receiving recesses.
14. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 11 , wherein the second external surface of the first rod-engaging member and the second external surface of the second rod-engaging member are substantially planar.
15. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 14 , wherein the second external surface of each rod-engaging member extends at an angle such that a bottom portion of the rod-engaging member has a width that is greater than a width of a top portion of the rod-engaging member.
16. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 8 , wherein the first rod-engaging member includes a gripping feature configured to engage the first spinal fixation rod within the first rod-receiving recess and the second rod-engaging member includes a gripping feature configured to engage the second spinal fixation rod within the second rod-receiving recess.
17. An implantable spinal cross connector, comprising:
an elongate body having an opening and a rod-receiving recess formed therein, the opening having a central axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body;
a rod-engaging member linearly slidably disposed within the elongate body; and
a locking mechanism configured to be received in the opening and to apply a force to the rod-engaging member to linearly slide the rod-engaging member from a first position in which the rod-engaging member is at least partially retracted into the elongate body and a second position in which the rod-engaging member extends from the elongate body to engage and lock a spinal fixation rod within the rod-receiving recess.
18. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 17 , further comprising a cavity formed in the elongate body and extending between the opening and the rod-receiving recess for retaining the rod-engaging member.
19. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 18 , wherein the cavity extends at a downward angle from the opening toward the rod-receiving recess.
20. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 17 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a proximal, threaded portion configured to engage the opening and a distal, non-threaded portion configured to engage the rod-engaging member.
21. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 17 , further comprising a pin member extending through the elongate body and into a groove formed in the rod-engaging member to slidably retain the rod-engaging member within the elongate body.
22. The implantable spinal cross connector of claim 21 , wherein the pin member is effective to allow slidable movement of the rod-engaging member between the first position and the second position.