Composite spinal rod

Abstract

A spinal rod including an elongated flexible component and a reinforcing component, the reinforcing component being resistant to damage from compressive forces and disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the flexible component so as to define at least one compression slot.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A spinal rod, comprising:
 an elongated flexible component having an outer surface and extending along a first longitudinal axis; and   a plurality of elongated reinforcing components each extending along a respective second longitudinal axis and each at least partially exposed at the outer surface of the flexible component, the second longitudinal axes of the reinforcing components being parallel to the first longitudinal axis of the flexible component, and the reinforcing components forming a circumferential arrangement around the first longitudinal axis of the flexible component.   
     
     
         3 . The spinal rod of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing components are asymmetrically circumferentially arranged around the first longitudinal axis of the flexible component. 
     
     
         4 . The spinal rod of  claim 2 , further comprising two or more collars disposed around the flexible component uniformly along the first longitudinal axis of the flexible component. 
     
     
         5 . The spinal rod of  claim 4 , wherein the two or more collars extend outward from the outer surface of the flexible component, each of the two or more collars having beveled edges that contact the flexible component. 
     
     
         6 . The spinal rod of  claim 4 , wherein an external diameter of the flexible component is smaller than an internal diameter of each of the two or more collars. 
     
     
         7 . The spinal rod of  claim 2 , wherein an embedded portion of at least one of the reinforcing components includes retention elements configured to resist outward movement of the reinforcing component with respect to the flexible member. 
     
     
         8 . The spinal rod of  claim 2 , wherein a perimeter of a cross-section of the spinal rod varies along a length of the spinal rod. 
     
     
         9 . The spinal rod of  claim 2 , wherein a perimeter of a cross-section of the flexible component is uniform along a length of the spinal rod, and the flexibility of the flexible component varies along the length of the spinal rod. 
     
     
         10 . The spinal rod of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible component is comprised of at least one of PEEK and carbon fiber reinforced PEEK, and the reinforcing component is comprised of at least one of titanium, titanium alloy, another metal, and ceramic. 
     
     
         11 . The spinal rod of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible component includes carbon fibers circumferentially wound around the first longitudinal axis of the flexible component. 
     
     
         12 . The spinal rod of  claim 2 , wherein a maximum length of the elongated flexible component along the first longitudinal axis thereof is substantially equal to a maximum length of each of the plurality of elongated reinforcing components along the respective second longitudinal axes thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A method for connecting and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:
 connecting at least two pedicle screws to adjacent vertebrae; and   connecting the spinal rod of  claim 2  to the pedicle screws.   
     
     
         14 . A kit for use in connecting and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, the kit comprising:
 the spinal rod of  claim 2 ;   at least one pedicle screw.   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one spinal rod is multiple spinal rods and the at least one pedicle screw is multiple pedicle screws, the kit further comprising at least one instrument or tool associated with the use of the spinal rods and the pedicle screws. 
     
     
         16 . A spinal rod, comprising:
 an elongated flexible component having an outer surface and extending along a longitudinal axis;   a reinforcing component at least partially exposed at the outer surface of the flexible component; and   a protective end cap covering an end of the flexible component.   
     
     
         17 . The spinal rod of  claim 16 , wherein the flexible component includes an internally disposed closed spiral configuration at the outer surface, and the reinforcing component is an open spiral having a complementary shape and size to the infernally disposed closed spiral configuration of the flexible component. 
     
     
         18 . The spinal rod of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing component is a flat metal spring disposed within a complementary shaped groove in the outer surface of the flexible component. 
     
     
         19 . The spinal rod of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing component is a protective mesh circumferentially disposed around the flexible component. 
     
     
         20 . A spinal rod, comprising:
 a first elongated flexible component having an outer surface and extending along a longitudinal axis;   a second elongated flexible component having an outer surface and extending along a longitudinal axis; and   a reinforcing component at least partially exposed at the outer surface of the first and second flexible components and configured to connect the first and second flexible components together.   
     
     
         21 . The spinal rod of  claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing component includes at least two pins, each of the pins being disposed through a different one of the first and second flexible components.