Patent ID: 8162989
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for bridging one or more vertebrae of a spine, the apparatus comprising: a fastener having a threaded shaft adapted to be driven into the vertebrae and a head at a proximal end of the shaft; a tulip having: (a) outer and inner walls defining opposing, and generally circularly open, first and second ends, (b) opposing first and second slots extending from the open first end toward the open second end, and (c) first and second grooves, each extending in opposing relation to one another along the inner wall from at least one of the first and second slots toward the other of the first and second slots, wherein: (i) the head of the fastener is retained within the tulip and proximate to the second end thereof, with the threaded shaft extending out of the tulip through the second opening thereof, and (ii) the opposing first and second slots are sized and shaped to receive a rod therethrough in a transverse orientation with respect to the threaded shaft of the fastener, such that the rod passes over the head; and a cap including: (a) a generally cylindrical body having first and second opposing ends, an outer surface, and a bore extending through the first and second opposing ends of the body along a central, longitudinal axis, (b) first and second shoulders disposed in opposing relationship to one another proximate to the first end of the body, and extending radially away, and circumferentially along, the outer surface of the body, (c) third and fourth shoulders disposed in an opposing relationship proximate to the second end of the body, and extending radially away, and circumferentially along, the outer surface of the body, wherein: the third and fourth shoulders are sized and shaped to be: (i) received into the first and second slots, respectively, to positions adjacent to the first and second grooves, respectively, and (ii) slidingly received into the first and second grooves by rotation of the cap about the longitudinal axis; and at least portions of the first and second shoulders are sized and shaped to slide over, and overlie, respective portions of a lip of the tulip at the periphery of the first open end of the tulip by the rotation of the cap about the longitudinal axis.