METHODS FOR CONNECTING A LONGITUDINAL MEMBER TO A BONE PORTION

摘要

An apparatus (10) includes a fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member (12) to the bone portion. A housing (40) has a first passage (42) configured to receive the longitudinal member (12) and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). A longitudinal axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to a longitudinal axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) of the housing (40) is engageable with the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A member (70) applies a force to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing (40) and permit manual movement of the fastener (16) relative to the housing (40) against the force when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer (60). A clamping mechanism (90) clamps the longitudinal member (12), the spacer (60), and the housing (40) to the fastener (16) to prevent movement of the fastener relative to the housing.

主权项

1. A spinal fixation device, comprising:
a fastener having a shank and a head extending from a proximal end of the shank, the head including a spherical surface with a radially extending shoulder extending around a periphery of the head spaced from a proximal surface of the head, wherein the shoulder is disposed closer to the proximal surface of the head than the shank; a housing having a passage formed along a longitudinal axis thereof and adapted to seat the spherical surface of the head of the fastener; a spacer received in said passage of said housing and engageable with said head, the spacer having a channel in a proximal surface thereof adapted to receive a spinal fixation element, the spacer having a circumferential groove in an outer wall thereof, the entire groove positioned below a bottom-most portion of the channel; and a compressible member disposed within the housing and positioned within the circumferential groove in the spacer, the compressible member generating a frictional force between the head and the housing to enable the shank to be maintained in a desired angular orientation relative to the housing in the absence of the spinal fixation element.