Patent ID: 11857223
Assignee: SPINE WAVE, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 18:
19. A modular apparatus for extending a rod in an existing spinal construct, comprising:
a rod connector comprising an attachment portion having an opening for receipt of a portion of said rod of said existing spinal construct, an elongate post projecting from said rod connector including a head having a partial spherical surface;
a modular rod extender for extending a rod in an existing spinal construct, comprising an extender body comprising a modular attachment feature at one end and an extension rod extending from an opposite end, said modular attachment feature comprising:
a) a central bore extending along an axis through a top surface and a bottom surface of said extender body, said central bore having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion having a lower opening adjacent said bottom surface and a lower interior cavity communicating with said lower opening, said upper portion having an upper opening adjacent said top surface, said extender body including a ledge extending radially interiorly therewithin, said ledge including an interior surface defining said central bore, said ledge including an upper contact surface facing said upper portion of said central bore and a lower surface facing said lower portion of said central bore, said central bore being defined by said interior surface, a pair of opposing cutouts being formed into said interior surface of said ledge and through at least said upper contact surface, said cutouts being in communication with said upper opening, said lower opening being configured to receive therethrough said head of said elongate post and into said lower interior cavity;
b) an expandable and contractible socket collar disposed within said lower interior cavity for axial movement therewithin, said socket collar being of size and configuration to not pass through said lower opening of said central bore, said socket collar having a central opening configured to expandably receive said head of said elongate post as said head extends into said lower interior cavity;
c) a crown disposed within said central bore between said upper portion and said socket collar, said crown being axially movable within said central bore independently of said socket collar, said crown having a lower end configured to contact said head of said elongate post, a pair of lobes projecting outwardly radially oppositely from said crown, said lobes extending into said cutouts and preventing rotation of said crown relative to said extender body; and
d) a retention insert disposed in said central bore between said top surface and said crown, said retention insert being secured to said extender body in a fixed position allowing axial movement of said crown and said socket collar while retaining said crown and said socket collar within said central bore; and
a locking element insertable into said central bore, said locking element being configured to engage an upper end of said crown and cause said crown to forcibly engage said head of said elongate post and wedge said head between said crown and said socket collar within said lower interior cavity of said extender body to thereby lock said modular rod extender and said rod connector together.