US6517543B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bone connector system with anti-rotational feature
Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp
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Filing: 2001-02-27
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Granted: 2003-02-11
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Expires: 2021-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A bone connector system includes first and second connector members, at least one and preferably both, of which carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with at least one slot therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end, and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface when the connectors are brought together. Each of the flanges and grooves may have first and second flanks respectively disposed at relatively small and relatively large acute angles to the longitudinal axis of the system. Either or both of the connector members may define guidewire lumens.
Inventors
- 👤 Greg A. Berrevoets
- 👤 Thomas S. Kilpela
- 👤 Francis J. Korhonen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/72; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/864; A61B17/8685
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A bone connector system comprising: first and second connector members, at least the first connector member having structure to permit implanting into a bone, the second connector member having a bore therein, the bore having an engagement portion with internal peripheral grooves, the first connector member having a boss dimensioned to be received in the bore for cooperation therewith to define a common longitudinal axis, the boss having a distal end with a slot extending transversely through the boss at the distal end, the boss having external peripheral flanges adjacent to the distal end disposed for engagement in the grooves when the boss is received in the bore, each flange and each groove having a first flank disposed at a first relatively small acute angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a second relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis, and an external drive surface of the first connector member generally disposed axially between said structure to permit implanting into a bone and the boss so that with the first connector member implanted into a bone from an exposed surface thereof with the drive surface adjacent thereto, the boss including the external flanges will project outward from the exposed bone surface for being inserted into the bore of the second connector member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A bone connector system comprising: first and second connector members, at least the first connector member having structure to permit implanting into a bone, the second connector member having a bore therein, the bore having an engagement portion with internal peripheral grooves, the first connector member having a boss dimensioned to be received in the bore for cooperation therewith to define a common longitudinal axis, the boss having a distal end with a slot extending transversely through the boss at the distal end, the boss having external peripheral flanges adjacent to the distal end disposed for engagement in the grooves when the boss is received in the bore, each flange and each groove having a first flank disposed at a first relatively small acute angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a second relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis, and an external drive surface of the first connector member generally disposed axially between said structure to permit implanting into a bone and the boss so that with the first connector member implanted into a bone from an exposed surface thereof with the drive surface adjacent thereto, the boss including the external flanges will project outward from the exposed bone surface for being inserted into the bore of the second connector member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the boss includes fingers separated by the slot, each finger having side faces intersecting the slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the first angle is less than 45° and the second angle is greater than 60°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the first angle is substantially 35° and the second angle is substantially 90°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the grooves are formed by an internal helical thread and the flanges are formed by an external helical thread.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the grooves are greater in number than the flanges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the connector members has a lumen extending therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A bone connector system comprising: first and second connector members, at least one of the connector members having structure to permit attachment to a bone, one of the connector members having a bore therein, the bore having an engagement portion with internal peripheral grooves, the other of the connector members having a boss dimensioned to be received in the bore for cooperation therewith to define a common longitudinal axis, the boss having a distal end with a slot extending transversely through the boss at the distal end, the boss having external peripheral flanges adjacent to the distal end disposed for engagement in the grooves when the boss is received in the bore, each flange and each groove having a first flank disposed at a relatively small acute angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the connector members has external bone screw threads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A bone connector system comprising: first and second connector members, at least one of the connector members having structure to permit attachment to a bone, one of the connector members having a bore therein, the bore having an engagement portion with internal peripheral grooves, the other of the connector members having a boss dimensioned to be received in the bore for cooperation therewith to define a common longitudinal axis, the boss having a distal end with a slot extending transversely through the boss at the distal end, the boss having external peripheral flanges adjacent to the distal end disposed for engagement in the grooves when the boss is received in the bore, each flange and each groove having a first flank disposed at a relatively small acute angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the connector members has external bone screw threads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
205 words
A bone connector system comprising: first and second connector members, at least one of the connector members having a structure to permit attachment to a bone, one of the connector members having a bore therein having an outer end, the bore having a first engagement portion of non-circular peripheral shape adjacent to the outer end, the bore having a second engagement portion with internal peripheral grooves disposed inboard of the first engagement portion, the other of the connector members having a boss dimensioned to be received in the bore for cooperation therewith to define a common longitudinal axis, the boss having a distal end with a slot extending transversely through the boss at the distal end, the boss having an outer engagement surface of non-circular peripheral shape disposed for mating engagement with the first engagement portion when the boss is received in the bore, the boss having external peripheral flanges adjacent to the distal end disposed for engagement in the grooves when the boss is received in the bore, each flange and each groove having a first flank disposed at a first relatively small acute angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a second relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
205 words
A bone connector system comprising: first and second connector members, at least one of the connector members having a structure to permit attachment to a bone, one of the connector members having a bore therein having an outer end, the bore having a first engagement portion of non-circular peripheral shape adjacent to the outer end, the bore having a second engagement portion with internal peripheral grooves disposed inboard of the first engagement portion, the other of the connector members having a boss dimensioned to be received in the bore for cooperation therewith to define a common longitudinal axis, the boss having a distal end with a slot extending transversely through the boss at the distal end, the boss having an outer engagement surface of non-circular peripheral shape disposed for mating engagement with the first engagement portion when the boss is received in the bore, the boss having external peripheral flanges adjacent to the distal end disposed for engagement in the grooves when the boss is received in the bore, each flange and each groove having a first flank disposed at a first relatively small acute angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a second relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein each of the connector members has external bone screw threads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein each of the first engagement portion and the engagement surface is polygonal in shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein each of the first engagement portion and the engagement surface is hexagonal in shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the connector members has a lumen extending therethrough.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the grooves are formed by an internal helical thread and the flanges are formed by an external helical thread.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the first angle is substantially less than 45° and the second angle is substantially greater than 60°.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
237 words
A bone connector system comprising: first and second connector members, at least the second connector member having structure to permit implanting into a bone, the second connector member having a bore therein having an outer end including an opening to the bore, the bore having an engagement portion with internal peripheral grooves, the first connector member having a boss dimensional to be received in the bore for cooperation therewith to define a common longitudinal axis, the boss having a distal end with a slot extending transversely through the boss at the distal end, the boss having external peripheral flanges adjacent to the distal end disposed for engagement in the grooves when the boss is received in the bore, each flange and each groove having a first flank disposed at a relatively small acute angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis, and an external drive surface of the second connector member extending about the opening at the bore outer end to allow the second connector member to be implanted into the bone from an exposed surface thereof with the drive surface adjacent the exposed bone surface for receipt of the first connector member boss through the opening adjacent the exposed bone surface and into the bore of the implanted second connector member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
237 words
A bone connector system comprising: first and second connector members, at least the second connector member having structure to permit implanting into a bone, the second connector member having a bore therein having an outer end including an opening to the bore, the bore having an engagement portion with internal peripheral grooves, the first connector member having a boss dimensional to be received in the bore for cooperation therewith to define a common longitudinal axis, the boss having a distal end with a slot extending transversely through the boss at the distal end, the boss having external peripheral flanges adjacent to the distal end disposed for engagement in the grooves when the boss is received in the bore, each flange and each groove having a first flank disposed at a relatively small acute angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis and a second flank disposed at a relatively large angle to the longitudinal axis, and an external drive surface of the second connector member extending about the opening at the bore outer end to allow the second connector member to be implanted into the bone from an exposed surface thereof with the drive surface adjacent the exposed bone surface for receipt of the first connector member boss through the opening adjacent the exposed bone surface and into the bore of the implanted second connector member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-10 | 2006-08-12 | 2007-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-10 | 2010-08-12 | 2011-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-10 | 2014-08-12 | 2015-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |