(i9) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication
Kalfas et al.
(54) HEAD-TO-HEAD CONNECTOR SPINAL FIXATION SYSTEM
(75) Inventors: Iain H. Kalfas, Beachwood, OH
(US); Carl Lauryssen, Beverly
Hills, CA (US); Steven Ludwig,
Baltimore, MD (US); Michael
O'Brien, Pinecrest, FL (US);
Thomas Doherty, Latham, NY
(US); Mark T. Hall, Bridgewater,
MA (US); Bryan S. Jones, Quincy,
MA (US); David Konieczynski,
Needham, MA (US); Raymond F.
Murphy, Attleboro, MA (US)
Correspondence Address:
NUTTER MCCLENNEN & FISH LLP
WORLD TRADE CENTER WEST, 155 SEA-
PORT BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MA 02210-2604 (US)
(73) Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
(21) Appl.No.: 12/581,410
(22) Filed: Oct. 19, 2009
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation of application No. 10/813,904, filed on Mar. 31, 2004.
Publication Classification
(51) Int. CI.
A61B 17/70 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 606/250; 606/264
(57) ABSTRACT
A spinal fixation system comprising at least two bone anchors, a rod connecting the bone anchors and a connecting plate extending from a proximal surface of at least one of the bone anchors. A method of fixing vertebrae relative to each other comprising the steps of: implanting bone anchors in two adjacent vertebrae, each bone anchor having a rod receiving portion; placing a rod in the rod receiving portions, thereby connecting the bone anchors; threadably engaging set screws in the rod receiving portions of at least a portion of the bone anchors, thereby fixing the rod to the bone anchors; mating one end of a connecting plate to a proximal bearing surface of at least a portion of the bone anchors; and engaging a cap with at least a portion of the set screws, thereby fixing the connecting plate to the bone anchors.
