David C Nichols

US Patent:

6413257, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

May 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/857137

Inventors:

Chih-I Lin - Diamond Bar CA
David Nichols - Memphis TN

Assignee:

Surgical Dynamics, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1770

US Classification:

606 61, 606 72, 606 73

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to one piece connector for connecting angularly misaligned implanted pedicle screws to transverse spinal rods in spinal fixation systems. The body portion includes a bore having an inside diameter and a longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axis of the bore being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leg portion. The leg portion includes a slot placed through a section of the leg portion, along the transverse axis of the leg portion and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the leg portion. The slot intersects the bore of the body portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore. The slot allows the one piece connector to be securely clamped around a longitudinal spinal rod when a pedicle screw is implanted at variable distances from the longitudinal spinal rod. The one piece connector allows for angular misalignment of an implanted pedicle screw in relation to a longitudinal spinal rod and the one piece connector, and for the attachment of the one piece connector to both the longitudinal spinal rod and to the implanted pedicle screw with a single locking mechanism when the one piece connector is used in a spinal fixation system.

US Patent:

6706045, Mar 16, 2004

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/159235

Inventors:

Chih-I Lin - Diamond Bar CA
David Nichols - Memphis TN

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Allendale NJ

International Classification:

A61B 1770

US Classification:

606 61, 606 73

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to one piece connector for connecting angularly misaligned implanted pedicle screws to transverse spinal rods in spinal fixation systems. The body portion includes a bore having an inside diameter and a longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axis of the bore being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leg portion. The leg portion includes a slot placed through a section of the leg portion, along the transverse axis of the leg portion and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the leg portion. The slot intersects the bore of the body portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore. The slot allows the one piece connector to be securely clamped around a longitudinal spinal rod when a pedicle screw is implanted at variable distances from the longitudinal spinal rod. The one piece connector allows for angular misalignment of an implanted pedicle screw in relation to a longitudinal spinal rod and the one piece connector, and for the attachment of the one piece connector to both the longitudinal spinal rod and to the implanted pedicle screw with a single locking mechanism when the one piece connector is used in a spinal fixation system.

US Patent:

6752807, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Dec 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/308680

Inventors:

Chih-I Lin - Diamond Bar CA
David Nichols - Trumbull CT

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Allendale NJ

International Classification:

A61B 1770

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

A spinal fixation system includes a first clip body having a pair of opposed spaced apart arcuate rod engaging hooks depending from a first side thereof for engaging a first elongated spinal rod, and a transverse connector extending laterally from a second side thereof; a second clip body having a pair of opposed spaced apart arcuate rod engaging hooks depending from a first side thereof for engaging a second elongated spinal rod, and a transverse connector extending laterally from a second side thereof; and a fastener for securing the transverse connector of the first elongated clip body and the transverse connector of the second elongated clip body to one another.

US Patent:

6783526, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

May 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/856916

Inventors:

Chih-I Lin - Diamond Bar CA
David Nichols - Memphis TN

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Allendale NJ

International Classification:

A61B 1770

US Classification:

606 61, 606 72

Abstract:

A transverse connector clip for connecting cylindrical rods to each other in a spinal fixation system, comprising a clip body having a two sides. The first side of the clip body has a longitudinal axis and a pair of mirror image hemi-cylindrical shells. These hemi-cylindrical shells have an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of a cylindrical rod. The clip body is shaped so as to allow the hemi-cylindrical shells to spread around the cylindrical rod when the cylindrical rod is inserted between said shells and to securely clamp on the cylindrical rod at a 90Â angle relative to the clip body The second side of the clip body can comprise one of several embodiments; a short laterally extending hemi-cylinder rod, a laterally extending hemi-cylinder rod with a plurality of vertical teeth, a second pair of mirror image hemi-cylindrical shells, a laterally extending rod tapering from a proximal cylindrical shape to a distal hemi-cylinder shape, or a body portion and a locking mechanism configured to receive and lock a hemi-cylindrical or cylindrical rod.

US Patent:

63028824, Oct 16, 2001

Filed:

May 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/578637

Inventors:

Chih-I Lin - Diamond Bar CA
David Nichols - Memphis TN

Assignee:

Surgical Dynamics, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1770

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

A transverse connector clip for connecting cylindrical rods to each other in a spinal fixation system, comprising a clip body having two sides. The first side of the clip body has a longitudinal axis and a pair of mirror image hemi-cylindrical shells. These hemi-cylindrical shells have an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of a cylindrical rod. The clip body is shaped so as to allow the hemi-cylindrical shells to spread around the cylindrical rod when the cylindrical rod is inserted between said shells and to securely clamp on the cylindrical rod at a 90. degree. angle relative to the clip body The second side of the clip body can comprise one of several embodiments; a short laterally extending hemi-cylinder rod, a laterally extending hemi-cylinder rod with a plurality of vertical teeth, a second pair of mirror image hemi-cylindrical shells, a laterally extending rod tapering from a proximal cylindrical shape to a distal hemi-cylinder shape, or a body portion and a locking mechanism configured to receive and lock a hemi-cylindrical or cylindrical rod.