Spinal construct and method

Abstract

A spinal construct is provided including a first fastener, a second fastener and a connector. Each fastener includes a first end and a second end configured for penetrating tissue. The connector has two ends. Each end of the connector includes an expandable member. The first end of each fastener is engageable to an expandable member of the connector to fix the fastener to the connector. The first and second ends of the connector are connected by a bridge. The spinal construct also includes securing members for attaching the connector to the fasteners. A method for treating a spinal disorder with the spinal construct is also provided.

1 . A spinal construct comprising:
 a first fastener including a first end and a second end configured for penetrating tissue;   a second fastener including a first end and a second end configured for penetrating tissue;   a connector having a first end including a first expandable member and a second end including a second expandable member, the first end of each fastener being engageable with the members to fix the fasteners to the connectors;   a bridge disposed between the members, the bridge being fixed to the members; and   securing members for attaching the connector to the fasteners.   
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A spinal construct of  claim 1 , wherein the securing members comprise set screws. 
     
     
         5 . A spinal construct of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge comprises an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first fastener and/or the second fastener. 
     
     
         6 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A spinal construct of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the connector or the second end of the connector or both comprise a C-shape. 
     
     
         11 . A spinal construct of  claim 1 , wherein each expandable member comprises an expansion chamber, each expansion chamber comprising a retaining member and an inner locking ring. 
     
     
         12 . A spinal construct of  claim 11 , wherein the retaining member, the inner locking ring or both are expandable. 
     
     
         13 . A spinal construct of  claim 11 , wherein each expansion chamber further comprises notches configured for receiving the inner locking ring. 
     
     
         14 . A spinal construct of  claim 11 , wherein each retaining member is configured to receive the first end of the first fastener or the second fastener. 
     
     
         15 . A spinal construct of  claim 11 , wherein each retaining member comprises a hexagon, a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle or a square shape. 
     
     
         16 . A spinal construct of  claim 1 , further comprising a marker disposed on the spinal construct for indicating the position of the construct. 
     
     
         17 . A spinal construct of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener and/or the second fastener comprise a pedicle screw. 
     
     
         18 . A spinal construct system comprising:
 a first fastener including a first end and a second end configured for penetrating tissue;   a second fastener including a first end and a second end configured for penetrating tissue;   a connector having a first end including a first expandable member and a second end including a second expandable member, the first end of each fastener being engageable with the expandable members to fix the fasteners to the connector;   a bridge disposed between the members, the bridge being fixed to the members; and   a first set screw for securing the first end of the connector to the first fastener and a second set screw for securing the second end of the connector to the second fastener.   
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A spinal construct of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable members each include a threaded inner surface and the securing members each include a threaded outer surface configured to engage the threaded inner surfaces. 
     
     
         22 . A spinal construct of  claim 11 , wherein the inner locking ring comprises silicone. 
     
     
         23 . A spinal construct of  claim 11 , wherein the inner locking ring comprises silicone having a hardness from about 40 durameter to about 80 durometer. 
     
     
         24 . A spinal construct of  claim 11 , wherein the expansion chambers each comprise a ledge and a notch configured for receiving the inner locking ring, the expansion chambers each having a uniform diameter between the ledge and the notch. 
     
     
         25 . A spinal construct of  claim 18 , wherein the expandable members each include a threaded inner surface and the set screws each include a threaded outer surface configured to engage the threaded inner surfaces. 
     
     
         26 . A spinal construct comprising:
 a first fastener including a first end and a second end configured for penetrating tissue;   a second fastener including a first end and a second end configured for penetrating tissue;   a connector having a first member and a second member, the first end of each fastener being engageable with the members to fix the fasteners to the connector, the members each including a chamber defined by an inner wall and a ledge, the first ends of the fasteners being disposed within the chambers, the inner walls each including a notch, the members each including a threaded inner surface defining a hole that extends through the ledge;   a bridge disposed between the members, the bridge being fixed to the members;   a retaining member disposed in each of the chambers such that the first ends of the fasteners engage the retaining members;   a locking ring disposed in each of the notches such that the locking rings surround the first ends of the fasteners; and   securing members each including a threaded outer surface configured to engage the threaded inner surfaces.   
     
     
         27 . A spinal construct of  claim 26 , wherein the ledges extend transverse to the inner walls. 
     
     
         28 . A spinal construct of  claim 26 , wherein the inner walls each include a chamber between the notches and distal ends of the walls, the chambers each including an opening that extends through the distal ends of the walls.