Patent ID: 6475242
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A joint assembly for interconnecting first and second opposed end regions of adjacent first and second bones of a person, said joint assembly comprising:a first axially elongated member defining a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of said first member and having external threading extending lengthwise from a first end of the first member wherein, when in an operative position, at least a portion of said first member is anchored in the first bone such that a joint end of said first member projects a distance away from the end region of the first bone and extends toward the second bone; a second axially elongated member defining a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of said second member and having external threading extending lengthwise from a first end of said second member wherein, when in an operative position, at least a portion of said second member is anchored in the second bone such that a joint end of said second member projects a distance away from the end region of the second bone and extends towards the first bone; a connector, wherein said connector comprises a generally U-shaped member having a first leg portion defining an aperture therethrough and a second leg portion defining an aperture therethrough, said first and second leg portions joined to each other by a bight portion extending therebetween, said first leg portion attached to said joint end of said first axially elongated member and said second leg portion attached to said joint end of said second axially elongated member; and first and second fasteners, said first fastener extending through said aperture defined by said first leg portion of said connector and into said bore of said first member and said second fastener extending through said aperture defined by said second leg portion of said connector and into said bore of said second member.