TAPER-LOCKING FIXATION SYSTEM

摘要

A fixation system is designed to lock an elongated member within a housing member, permitting positional and/or orientational adjustment of the elongated member prior to locking. The system includes a housing member, a slotted spherical collet, an elongated member, and may include a tapered wedge, which may be a discrete component or formed as part of the elongated member. The housing member and/or elongated member may be implantable. The elongated member may be positioned in the wedge, the wedge in the collet, and the collet in the housing such that when compression force is applied to the wedge and the collet, the wedge contracts about the elongated member and the collet expands to engage the housing, thus locking the elongated member relative to the housing. The collet may have a tapered channel with a degree of taper equal to the tapered wedge. The collet may have multiple slots to allow uniform radial expansion and compression.