| 摘要 |
<p>A spinal implant (10) that has a rod (40) that connects and stabilizes the vertebrae of a vertebral column. The implant (10) has screws (16) that are attached to the vertebrae. Each screw (16) has a clamp (26) with a first bore (28) that allows the clamp (26) to be placed over the screw (16). The first bore (28) of the clamp (26) is larger than the major diameter of the screw (16), so that the clamp (26) can float about the screws (16). The clamps (26) each have a second bore (34) perpendicular to the first bore (28), adapted to receive and hold the rod (40). Integrally formed with the second bore (34) of each clamp (26) are a pair of flanges (46, 48). When the flanges (46, 48) are deflected inward, the clamp (26) ''grabs'' the rod (40). The clamp (26) is placed on a hexagonally shaped shoulder (60) of the screw (16). A nut (50a) is fastened onto the opposite side of the clamp, such that the flanges (46, 48) are pressed between the shoulder (60) and the nut (50a). The diameter of the second bore (34) and rod (40) are approximately the same so that a small deflection of the flanges (46, 48) produces a large clamping force on the rod (40).</p> |
