Patent ID: 6077263
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A spinal implant system comprising:a spinal rod;a first clasp and a second clasp having respectively a first and a second body and a first and a second hook, said first clasp being adapted to be fixed to a vertebrae by said first hook and said second clasp being adapted to be fixed to the vertebrae by said second hook;a connecting element comprising a head and a shank, said connecting element connecting said first and second clasps;a first fastening means for fastening said first body to said spinal rod;a second fastening means for fastening said shank to said first body; anda retaining means for retaining said second clasp onto said head so that said second clasp, in the retaining position, can disengage itself from said head only in a direction toward said first clasp, said first body defining a recess for reception of said shank, said recess having a bottom and two lateral walls, said recess defining first and second lateral openings and an upper opening, said bottom being on a side of said first hook, said upper opening being on a side opposite to said first hook such that said connecting element can be inserted and removed through said upper opening, said second fastening means having a blocking screw for blocking said shank in said recess, said blocking screw having a screwing axis perpendicular to said shank and cooperative with a tapped hole formed in said two lateral walls.