Patent ID: 8992579
Filing Date: 2015-03-31
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A spinal fixation system configured for implantation on a lateral aspect of a human spine for immobilizing at least two adjacent spinal levels relative to one another, comprising: at least three anchor assemblies, each anchor assembly comprising: a staple base having a first rod-receiving recess coaxially aligned with a second rod-receiving recess, the first and second rod-receiving recesses dimensioned to receive an end portion of different spinal rod segments; a first blocking element hingedly attached to the staple base and moveable from a first position to a second position, the first position allowing placement of a first rod segment within the first rod-receiving recess, the second position covering the first rod-receiving recess while allowing placement of a second rod within the second rod-receiving recess; a second blocking element having a first portion covering the second rod-receiving recess and a second portion covering at least a portion of the first blocking element, the second blocking element attachable to the staple base subsequent to the movement of the first blocking element from the first position to the second position; an anchor element configured to anchor the anchor assembly to the vertebral body, the anchor element including an elongated threaded shaft for gaining purchase within a vertebra and a post element extending proximally from the shaft; and a locking element attachable to the post element, the locking element configured to apply a compressive force on the staple base, first blocking element, and second blocking element to lock the anchor assembly together; and at least two spinal rod segments, each spinal rod segment having a size sufficient to span the distance between a first anchor assembly implanted in a first vertebral body and a second anchor assembly implanted in a second vertebral body, the first spinal rod segment having an end portion dimensioned to be received in the first rod-receiving recess of the second anchor assembly, the second spinal rod segment having an end portion dimensioned to be received in the second rod-receiving recess of the second anchor assembly.