Importance

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Abstract

A rod, screw, rod securing member, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw and rod coupling member which are loosely coupled by virtue of the head of the screw being held within a contractible volume in the base of the rod coupling member. The volume of the rod coupling member is contractible by virtue of a series of slots formed in the base, which also has a tapered exterior surface. The staple includes a flat portion which has a hole through it and several barbs extending downward from it for gripping the surface of the vertebral bone. The hole in the staple has a rim which is upwardly extending and a tapered interior side wall designed to engage the tapered exterior wall of the rod coupling member such that advancement of the staple relative to the coupling member causes the interior volume to compression lock to the head of the screw. The screw, with the rod coupling element mounted thereto, is first inserted into the vertebral bone, and then the staple is mounted over the rod coupling member. The member is rotated into position to receive the rod, which seats on the uppermost surface of the annular rim of the hole in the staple. The application of a top locking nut causes the rod to compress against the staple, the barbs of which are driven into the vertebral bone, the rod coupling element and the screw to be locked, and the staple and the screw/member combination are securely locked together.

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First Claim