Spinal fixation device with laterally attachable connectors

Claim 2

A spinal fixation device comprising: a rod adapted to extend along one side of selected vertebrae; a bracket having a first opening positioned to have said rod extend across said first opening, and a second opening; a stud having a head and a threaded shank, said shank extending rotatably through said first opening of said bracket with said head contacting one side of said bracket, and said shank having a longitudinal cross slot which extends toward said head with shank segments on opposite sides of said slot, said slot extending between said shank segments, said rod extending laterally through said slot in said stud and lying over an opposite side of said bracket; a fastener having a fastening shank extending through said second opening of said bracket, said fastener being rotatable with respect to said stud to move said fastener to a desired location for attachment into a vertebra at a position laterally displaced from said stud and on the one side of the selected vertebrae; and a nut threadable onto said shank segments of said stud for clamping said rod and said stud against rotation with respect to said bracket, thereby clamping said desired location of said fastener with respect to said stud.

Claim 3

The fixation device of claim 1 further comprising an insert within said slot of said stud, said insert being axially slidable in said slot and having a flange and a stem, said flange projecting laterally in said slot between said segments and bearing against said rod, said nut bearing against said flange to clamp said rod in said slot, said stem extending axially in said slot between said segments and projecting from said flange and into said nut, said stem holding said segments apart when said nut is tightened thereon.

Claim 4

The fixation device of claim 1 wherein said bracket further includes a first portion in which said first opening is presented and a second portion in which said second opening is presented, said second portion extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said first portion.

Claim 5

The fixation device of claim 1 wherein said insert is T-shaped; said flange extends outwardly beyond said shank to be engaged by said nut; and said stem extends axially in said slot.

Claim 6

The fixation device of claim 1 wherein said second opening is wider than said fastener, so that the axial direction of said fastener with respect to said bracket and stud can be changed.

Claim 7

The fixation device of claim 1 wherein said fastener is a bone screw.

Claim 8

The fixation device of claim 1 wherein said support is U-shaped with a middle section adapted to be secured to the occipital bone of a patient and two parallel rods adapted to be secured to the spinal column.

Claim 9

The fixation device of claim 1 wherein said slot extends to a slot end adjacent said head, and said slot end is contoured to facially engage said rod.

Claim 10

The fixation device of claim 1 wherein said bracket is recessed to receive said head of said stud.

Claim 11

The fixation device of claim 1 wherein said rod of said support has a groove around it in which a flexible vertebral attachment wire can be wrapped.

Claim 12

The fixation device of claim 10 wherein said groove is a spiral groove.

Claim 13

A spinal fixation device comprising: a vertebral support rod adapted to extend along one side of selected vertebrae; a bone fastener having a fastening shank; a bracket for adjustably connecting said fastener to said rod after said fastener has been inserted into a vertebra on the one side of the vertebrae and at a position laterally offset from said rod, said bracket having first and second openings, said fastener shank being longitudinally slidable through and rotatable in said second opening of said bracket for insertion into the vertebra, said bracket being connected to said rod by a stud having a head and a threaded shank, said shank extending through said first opening of said bracket with said head contacting one side of said bracket, and said shank having a cross slot which extends toward said head, said rod extending laterally through said slot of said stud and lying over an opposite side of said bracket, said slot separating shank segments on opposite sides of said slot, said bracket being rotationally positionable about said fastener and said stud, said stud being rotationally and longitudinally positionable along said rod; and a nut threadable onto said shank segments of said stud for clamping said rod and said stud against rotation with respect to said bracket, thereby clamping the position of said fastener with respect to said stud.

Claim 14

A spinal fixation device comprising: a vertebral support rod adapted to extend along one side of selected vertebrae; a bone fastener having a fastening shank; a bracket for adjustably connecting said fastener to said rod after said fastener has been inserted into a vertebra on the one side of the vertebrae and at a position laterally offset from said rod, said bracket having first and second openings, said fastener shank being longitudinally slidable through and rotatable in said second opening of said bracket for insertion into the vertebra, said bracket being connected to said rod by a stud having a head and a threaded shank, said shank extending through said first opening of said bracket with said head contacting one side of said bracket, and said shank having a cross slot which extends toward said head, said rod extending laterally through said slot of said stud and lying over an opposite side of said bracket, said slot separating shank segments on opposite sides of said slot, said bracket being rotationally positionable about said fastener and said stud, said stud being rotationally and longitudinally positionable along said rod; and a nut threadable onto said shank segments of said stud for clamping said rod and said stud against rotation with respect to said bracket, thereby clamping the position of said fastener with respect to said stud.

Claim 15

The fixation device of claim 12 further including an insert positioned within said slot of said stud, said insert bearing against said rod, said nut bearing axially against said insert, said insert holding said segments apart when said nut is tightened thereon.

Claim 16

The fixation device of claim 12 further including an insert positioned within said slot of said stud, said insert being axially slidable along said slot and having a flange and a stem, said flange projecting laterally in said slot between said segments and bearing against said rod, said nut bearing against said flange to clamp said rod in said slot, said stem extending axially in said slot between said segments and projecting perpendicularly from said flange and into said nut, said stem holding said segments apart within said nut when said nut is tightened thereon.

Claim 17

A spinal fixation device comprising: a rod; a bracket having a first opening positioned to have said rod extend across said first opening, and a second opening; a stud having a head and a threaded shank, said shank extending rotatably through said first opening of said bracket with said head contacting one side of said bracket, and said shank having a longitudinal cross slot which extends toward said head with shank segments on opposite sides of said slot, said slot extending between said shank segments, said rod extending laterally through said slot in said stud and lying over an opposite side of said bracket; a fastener having a fastening shank extending through said second opening of said bracket and into a vertebra, said fastener and bracket being rotatable with respect to said stud to move said fastener to a desired location for attachment into the vertebra; and a nut threadable onto said shank segments of said stud for clamping said rod and said stud against rotation with respect to said bracket, thereby clamping said desired location of said fastener with respect to said stud.

Claim 18

A spinal fixation device comprising: a rod; a bracket having a first opening positioned to have said rod extend across said first opening, and a second opening; a stud having a head and a threaded shank, said shank extending rotatably through said first opening of said bracket with said head contacting one side of said bracket, and said shank having a longitudinal cross slot which extends toward said head with shank segments on opposite sides of said slot, said slot extending between said shank segments, said rod extending laterally through said slot in said stud and lying over an opposite side of said bracket; a fastener having a fastening shank extending through said second opening of said bracket and into a vertebra, said fastener and bracket being rotatable with respect to said stud to move said fastener to a desired location for attachment into the vertebra; and a nut threadable onto said shank segments of said stud for clamping said rod and said stud against rotation with respect to said bracket, thereby clamping said desired location of said fastener with respect to said stud.

Claim 19

A spinal fixation device comprising: a rod adapted to extend along one side of selected vertebrae; a bracket having a first opening positioned to have said rod extend across said first opening, and a second opening; a stud having a head and a threaded shank, said shank extending rotatably through said first opening of said bracket, and said shank having a longitudinal cross slot which extends toward said head with shank segments on opposite sides of said slot, said slot extending between said shank segments, said rod extending laterally through said slot in said stud; a fastener having a fastening shank extending through said second opening of said bracket and into a vertebra at a position laterally displaced from said stud and on the one side of the selected vertebra, said fastener and bracket being rotatable with respect to said stud to move said fastener to a desired location for attachment into the vertabra; and a nut threadable onto said shank segments of said stud for clamping said rod and said stud against rotation with respect to said bracket, thereby clamping said desired location of said fastener with respect to said stud.

Claim 20

A spinal fixation device comprising: a rod adapted to extend along one side of selected vertebrae; a bracket having a first opening positioned to have said rod extend across said first opening, and a second opening; a stud having a head and a threaded shank, said shank extending rotatably through said first opening of said bracket, and said shank having a longitudinal cross slot which extends toward said head with shank segments on opposite sides of said slot, said slot extending between said shank segments, said rod extending laterally through said slot in said stud; a fastener having a fastening shank extending through said second opening of said bracket and into a vertebra at a position laterally displaced from said stud and on the one side of the selected vertebra, said fastener and bracket being rotatable with respect to said stud to move said fastener to a desired location for attachment into the vertabra; and a nut threadable onto said shank segments of said stud for clamping said rod and said stud against rotation with respect to said bracket, thereby clamping said desired location of said fastener with respect to said stud.