Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An osteosynthesis system for the spinal column, the system comprising at least two anchor members ( 2 ) adapted to be fixed to two vertebrae ( 4 ) of the spinal column, and a link member ( 6 ; 106 ) adapted to interconnect the two anchor members in translation towards each other, the link member ( 6 ; 106 ) being elastically deformable in bending about at least one deformation axis ( 45 , 47 , 49 ), the link member ( 6 ; 106 ) having at least two fixing portions ( 16 ) adapted to be fixed to the two anchor members ( 2 ), and at least one intermediate portion, the intermediate portion being offset from an alignment axis defined by the two fixing portions ( 16 ), wherein for at least one intermediate portion the link member ( 6 ; 106 ) further has two abutments ( 39 ) facing each other and disposed so as to come into abutment against each other when the link member is deformed about at least one deformation axis, in a given direction of rotation and through an angle (a) equal to a predetermined limit value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
An osteosynthesis system for the spinal column, the system comprising at least two anchor members ( 2 ) adapted to be fixed to two vertebrae ( 4 ) of the spinal column, and a link member ( 6 ; 106 ) adapted to interconnect the two anchor members in translation towards each other, the link member ( 6 ; 106 ) being elastically deformable in bending about at least one deformation axis ( 45 , 47 , 49 ), the link member ( 6 ; 106 ) having at least two fixing portions ( 16 ) adapted to be fixed to the two anchor members ( 2 ), and at least one intermediate portion, the intermediate portion being offset from an alignment axis defined by the two fixing portions ( 16 ), wherein for at least one intermediate portion the link member ( 6 ; 106 ) further has two abutments ( 39 ) facing each other and disposed so as to come into abutment against each other when the link member is deformed about at least one deformation axis, in a given direction of rotation and through an angle (a) equal to a predetermined limit value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the deformation axes extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction ( 10 ) of each anchor member ( 2 ) and to a longitudinal direction ( 18 ) of the link member ( 6 ; 106 ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the deformation axes extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction ( 10 ) of each anchor member ( 2 ) and to a longitudinal direction ( 18 ) of the link member ( 6 ; 106 ).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the deformation axes extends parallel to a longitudinal direction ( 18 ) of the link member ( 6 ; 106 ).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein the alignment axis lies between the intermediate portion ( 40 ) and the two abutments ( 39 ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion ( 40 ) has an outer surface ( 30 ) of spherical shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the two abutments ( 39 ) has an outer surface ( 30 ) of spherical shape.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
37 words
A system according to claims 6 or 7 , wherein the spherical surface ( 30 ) of the intermediate portion and the spherical surfaces ( 30 ) of the two abutments have a common center of curvature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein for at least one pair of fixing portions, the link member ( 6 ) has a junction part ( 28 ) contiguous with the two fixing portions, the junction part associated with at least one of the pairs of fixing portions being a single piece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein for at least one pair of fixing portions the link member ( 106 ) has a junction part ( 128 ) contiguous with the two fixing portions, the junction part associated with at least one of the pairs of fixing portions having first and second mutually distinct link elements ( 106 a, 106 b ) and fixing means for fixing the first and second link elements together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 10 , wherein the fixing means are adapted to enable the distance between the two associated anchor members ( 2 ) to be adjusted in the longitudinal direction ( 18 ) of the link member ( 106 ).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system according to claim 11 , wherein the second link member ( 106 b ) comprises a rod ( 144 ) and the first link member ( 106 a ) has a housing suitable for receiving the rod, the first link member ( 106 a ) including locking means ( 152 ) for locking the rod inside the housing in a plurality of positions along the longitudinal direction ( 18 ) of the second link member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein it is adapted so that the alignment axis lies between the intermediate portion ( 40 ) and the vertebrae ( 4 ).