Granted Patent B2

US 8,470,001 · App. 13/088,741 · Granted Jun 25, 2013

Abstract

Claims (24)

1. A method of treating a spine, comprising:

providing a spinal treatment system including:

a screw having a threaded shaft portion configured to engage bone tissue, and a head portion having a cup shaped cavity;

a linking member having a spherical head portion configured to engage the cup-shaped cavity of the head of the screw, the spherical head portion terminating at a widened flange portion that extends from the spherical head portion to form a rim surface configured to engage a rod connector, and an elongate body extending from the widened flange portion;

a rod connector having a first opening for receiving a spinal rod implant, a second opening for receiving the elongate body of the linking member, and a recess portion configured to engage at least a portion of the spherical head portion of the linking member; and

a spinal rod implant configured for placement through the first opening of the rod connector;

anchoring the screw to a vertebra of the spine;

assembling the spinal rod implant, rod connector and linking member to the screw; and

securing the rod connector to another vertebra of the spine to treat the spine.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system includes a cylindrical body configured for placement within a cavity of the rod connector, and further including the step of placing the spinal rod implant through the cylindrical body.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical body includes a liner, and the spinal rod implant is placed through the liner.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the liner comprises a polymeric, ceramic or metallic material.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the polymeric material is polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical body is rotatably adjustable with respect to at least one axis of the rod connector.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rod connector includes a recess for receiving a portion of the head portion of the screw.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system includes a locking collar configured to secure the spherical head portion within the cup-shaped cavity of the head portion.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system includes a fastening member for engaging the elongate body of the linking member, and further including the step of securing the fastening member to the elongate body of the linking member.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the fastening member and elongate body of the linking member both include a break-away portion, and further including the step of breaking away a portion of the fastening member and elongate body of the linking member.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the rod connector includes a recess for receiving a portion of the fastening member.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system is dynamic, and the rod connector and the linking member are rotationally moveable with respect to an axis of the screw after assembly.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system is rigid, and the rod connector and the linking member are rigidly fixed with respect to the screw after assembly.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system is dynamic, and the spinal rod implant is slidable or rotatable with respect to the rod connector after assembly.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spinal rod implant is a straight rod implant.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spinal rod implant is a curved rod implant.

Assignments (13)