US5615965A — Device for interconnecting an elongate element an…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 156 words

In combination, an elongate spinal element with a longitudinal axis and a supporting device for use in medical prostheses, wherein said device comprising: a spinal element support having a head portion defining a recess configured to receive the spinal element and two clamping ramps; a slide so profiled as to be capable of being slidably inserted in said support coaxially with the elongate spinal element and in intimate contact therewith when the elongate spinal element is disposed on said support, said slide including two lateral lips cooperative with said clamping ramps; and wherein said lips and said clamping ramps are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate spinal element when received in said recess thereby achieving a self-clamping of each of said lips of said slide in a respective one of said clamping ramps of said support when the spinal element is received in said recess and said slide is inserted in said support.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 156 words

In combination, an elongate spinal element with a longitudinal axis and a supporting device for use in medical prostheses, wherein said device comprising: a spinal element support having a head portion defining a recess configured to receive the spinal element and two clamping ramps; a slide so profiled as to be capable of being slidably inserted in said support coaxially with the elongate spinal element and in intimate contact therewith when the elongate spinal element is disposed on said support, said slide including two lateral lips cooperative with said clamping ramps; and wherein said lips and said clamping ramps are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate spinal element when received in said recess thereby achieving a self-clamping of each of said lips of said slide in a respective one of said clamping ramps of said support when the spinal element is received in said recess and said slide is inserted in said support.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 51 words

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said lateral lips of said slide are curved in a direction transverse to the direction of said longitudinal axis and said support defines two channels forming said inclined ramps, said channels being complementary to said lateral lips and configured to receive said lateral lips.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said lateral lips of said slide have a dovetailed cross-sectional shape and said support defines two grooves complimentary to said lips and receives said lips therein.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said ramps and said lips have an inclination of about 2° to 6°.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 52 words

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said elongate spinal element is a cylindrical rod with a first radius and a semi-cylindrical axial recess for said rod is provided on the side of said slide facing toward said rod, said semi-cylindrical recess having a second radius generally equal to said first radius.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said slide has two curvilinear lateral surfaces forming said lips.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 141 words

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said support is a screw having an U-shaped head with two branches and a semi-cylindrical seat for supporting the elongate spinal element when provided between said two branches, said support defining two slots and two channels extending from said slots separating said seat from said two branches, said slide is formed by a clip having two resilient tabs having end portions constituting said lips complementary to said slots and channels and insertable in said slots and channels by sliding on the elongate spinal element received on said recess and around said seat, said channels and said lips being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis so as to clamp said elongate spinal element and said clip in position when said clip is inserted in said support with the elongate spinal element received on said seat.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said support includes a vertebral engagement portion opposite said head.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The combination according to claim 8, wherein said vertebral engagement portion has screw threads.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 170 words

In combination, an elongate spinal element, a support with two clamping ramps correspondingly formed from two channels defined by the support, and a connection device for use in medical prostheses, wherein said device comprising: a slide so profiled as to be capable of being slidably inserted in the support coaxially with the elongate spinal element and in intimate contact therewith when the elongate spinal element is disposed on the support, said slide comprising two lateral lips cooperative with the clamping ramps, said lips and the clamping ramps being inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate spinal element to thereby achieve a self-clamping connection when said lips are received in the clamping ramps; and wherein each of said lips comprises a first constricted part located in a narrow passage delimited by two confronting rounded bosses on said slide, and a second enlarged and rounded part, said first and second parts of each of said lips being configured for engagement in a corresponding one of the channels of the support.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 170 words

In combination, an elongate spinal element, a support with two clamping ramps correspondingly formed from two channels defined by the support, and a connection device for use in medical prostheses, wherein said device comprising: a slide so profiled as to be capable of being slidably inserted in the support coaxially with the elongate spinal element and in intimate contact therewith when the elongate spinal element is disposed on the support, said slide comprising two lateral lips cooperative with the clamping ramps, said lips and the clamping ramps being inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate spinal element to thereby achieve a self-clamping connection when said lips are received in the clamping ramps; and wherein each of said lips comprises a first constricted part located in a narrow passage delimited by two confronting rounded bosses on said slide, and a second enlarged and rounded part, said first and second parts of each of said lips being configured for engagement in a corresponding one of the channels of the support.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 36 words

The combination according to claim 10, wherein said first part of each of said lips is connected to an outer surface of said slide by a rounded lateral boss which is configured to engage the support.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 140 words

In combination, an elongate spinal rod and a spinal connection device for use in medical prostheses, wherein said device comprising: a spinal rod support having a head portion defining a recess configured to receive the spinal rod and two clamping ramps, said support including a surface configured to bear against the spinal rod; a slide configured for slidable insertion in said support when the spinal rod is received in said recess, said slide including two lateral lips cooperative with said clamping ramps; and wherein said lips and said clamping ramps are inclined relative to said surface of said support to thereby achieve a self-clamping of each of said lips of said slide in a respective one of said clamping ramps of said support when the spinal rod is received in said recess and said slide is inserted in said support.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 140 words

In combination, an elongate spinal rod and a spinal connection device for use in medical prostheses, wherein said device comprising: a spinal rod support having a head portion defining a recess configured to receive the spinal rod and two clamping ramps, said support including a surface configured to bear against the spinal rod; a slide configured for slidable insertion in said support when the spinal rod is received in said recess, said slide including two lateral lips cooperative with said clamping ramps; and wherein said lips and said clamping ramps are inclined relative to said surface of said support to thereby achieve a self-clamping of each of said lips of said slide in a respective one of said clamping ramps of said support when the spinal rod is received in said recess and said slide is inserted in said support.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The combination according to claim 12, wherein said ramps and said lips have an inclination of about 2° to 6°.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The combination according to claim 12, wherein said slide includes a pair of curvilinear lateral surfaces defining said lips.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 61 words

The combination according to claim 12, wherein each of said lips of said slide comprises a first constricted part located in a narrow passage delimited by two confronting rounded bosses on said slide, and a second enlarged and rounded part, said support defining two channels each configured to receive said first and second parts of a corresponding one of said lips.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 52 words

The combination according to claim 15, wherein said first part of each of said lips is connected to an outer surface of said slide by a rounded lateral boss which is inserted in a complementary recess defined by said support, insertion in said complementary recess opposing a transverse extraction of said slide.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 146 words

The combination according to claim 12, wherein said support includes a vertebral engagement portion opposite said head portion, said vertebral engagement portion including screw threads; said head portion of said support has two branches defining said recess therebetween, said head defines a semi-cylindrical seat between said branches for supporting the spinal rod when received in said recess, said head further defines two slots and two channels extending from said slots which separate said seat from said branches; and said slide is formed with two resilient tabs having end portions constituting profiled rounded lips complementary to said slots and channels and insertable in said slots and channels by sliding on the spinal rod, said channels and said lips cooperating to clamp the spinal rod, said support, and said slide together when the spinal rod is received on said seat and said slide is inserted in said support.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-03-31	2000-09-30	2001-04-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-03-31	2004-09-30	2005-04-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-03-31	2008-09-30	2009-04-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Device for interconnecting an elongate element and a support for said element

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