IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,611,234
Granted Patent B2
US 12,611,234 · App. 18/142,794 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Spinal fixation system

Inventor: Larry E. McClintock (Gore, VA)
Assignee: VB Spine US Opco LLC
A61B17/7035A61B17/7032
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,611,234
App. No.
18/142,794
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a polyaxial pedicle screw including a housing, a friction plug, an anvil, a bone screw member, and a compression ring or cap. The housing includes opposing arms, a collar at a bottom portion of the housing, a cutout, and a passage. The anvil is positioned in the passage. The bone screw member includes a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head along a shaft axis, wherein the head is configured to be positioned in the passage. The friction plug is positioned in the cutout, wherein the friction plug applies a force to the head. The compression ring or cap is positioned over the collar and the friction plug.

Claims (34)

1 . A polyaxial pedicle screw comprising:

a housing including opposing arms, a collar at a bottom portion of the housing, a cutout through a portion of the collar, and a passage extending through the housing;

an anvil positioned in the passage;

a bone screw member including a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head along a shaft axis, wherein the head is configured to be positioned in the passage;

a friction plug positioned in the cutout, wherein the friction plug includes an inner surface and an outer surface joined by a perpendicular support member, and wherein the friction plug applies a force to the head; and

a cap positioned over the collar and the friction plug,

wherein the inner surface has an inward curve for engagement with the head and the outer surface has an outward curve for engagement with the cap.

2 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 1 , wherein the friction plug is a bilateral leaf spring.

3 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 1 , wherein the head has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion includes a surface texture.

4 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 3 , wherein the friction plug has a surface texture for increased frictional engagement with the second portion of the head.

5 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are joined at their respective centers by the perpendicular support member.

6 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 1 , wherein a first open space is located adjacent a first side of the perpendicular support member between the inner surface and the outer surface.

7 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 6 , wherein a second open space is located adjacent a second side of the perpendicular support member between the inner surface and the outer surface.

8 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface flexes outward in a direction opposite the head.

9 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface restricts polyaxial movement of bone screw member within the housing.

10 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface has a concave shape and the outer surfaces has a convex shape.

11 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 10 , wherein a bottom portion of the inner and outer surfaces are substantially planar.

12 . A polyaxial pedicle screw comprising:

a housing including opposing arms, a collar at a bottom portion of the housing, a cutout through a portion of the collar, and a passage extending through the housing;

an anvil positioned in the passage;

a bone screw member including a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head along a shaft axis, wherein the head is configured to be positioned in the passage;

a cap positioned over the collar and the cutout; and

a friction plug including an inner surface and an outer surface joined by a perpendicular support member, wherein the friction plug is positioned in the cutout and the inner surface is configured to engage the head and the outer surface is configured to engage the cap.

13 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 12 , wherein the friction plug applies a force to the head.

14 . The polyaxial pedicle screw of claim 13 , wherein the friction plug is a bilateral leaf spring.

15 . A polyaxial pedicle screw comprising:

a housing including opposing arms, a collar at a bottom portion of the housing, a cutout through a portion of the collar and a passage extending through the housing;

an anvil positioned in the passage;

a bone screw member including a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head along a shaft axis, wherein the head is configured to be positioned in the passage;

a friction plug including an inner surface and an outer surface joined by a perpendicular support member, wherein the friction plug is positioned in the cutout and restricts movement of the bone screw member within the housing; and

a cap positioned over the collar and the friction plug,

wherein the friction plug engages the head of the bone screw member and the friction plug restricts movement of the head within the passage,

wherein the friction plug restricts polyaxial movement of the shaft relative to the shaft axis, and

wherein the friction plug is a bilateral leaf spring.

Assignments (4)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2025
From: K2M, INC.; VB SPINE US OPCO LLC; VB SPINE LLC
To: ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071682/0116 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2025
From: STRYKER CORPORATION
To: VB SPINE US OPCO LLC
Reel/Frame 071312/0356 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2025
From: K2M, INC.
To: STRYKER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071271/0170 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2023
From: MCCLINTOCK, LARRY E.
To: K2M, INC.
Reel/Frame 063582/0035 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63338116 · May 4, 2022
Related Publication 20230355280A1 · Nov 9, 2023
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