SPINAL INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM WITH ARTICULATED MODULES

摘要

This spinal osteosynthesis instrumentation comprises at least two modules (1, 2) articulated together by a male-female spherical connection (5, 8) permitting a relative orientation of the modules in all directions, and means (14) for rigidifying the assembly of the modules (1, 2) in the desired orientation so as to adapt it to the anatomy of the considered spinal segment. The modules (1, 2) each comprise a body (3) in which is formed a spherical socket (5) opening onto an end of the body, and a spherical head or ball (8) of an adjacent module can be inserted in this socket and maintained therein by a clipping action thereby forming a ball joint. This articulated system is extremely flexible and can be easily adapted to the anatomies of the spinal segments without exerting a substantial force on the patient, and can be maintained with the desired angulation by means of rings (14) clamping the articulated connections and composed of an alloy having a shape memory which clamp the balls (8) at the temperature of the body of the patient.