Connector

Abstract

A connector comprising at least one pair of apertures for receiving a fixation means, such as a screw, a load bearing filament extending continuously along a predefined circuitous path which extends between and around each of the apertures of said pair of apertures, said load bearing filament extending around each aperture to define multiple aperture forming strands of said load bearing filaments, said multiple aperture forming strands of said load bearing filament being bound together around each aperture by binding filaments in order to constrain relative lateral movement between said aperture forming multiple strands and to define the shape of each aperture.

1 . A connector dimensioned to extend between a first vertebral bone portion and a second vertebral bone portion, comprising: 
 a first fixation region configured for juxtaposition with said first vertebral bone portion and having a first fortified aperture dimensioned to receive a first fixation element;    a second fixation region configured for juxtaposition with said second vertebral bone portion and having a second fortified aperture dimensioned to receive a second fixation element; and    at least one load bearing filament extending at least between said first and second fixation regions.    
   
   
       2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second vertebral bone portions comprise adjacent vertebral bodies.  
   
   
       3 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second apertures are fortified by binding filaments.  
   
   
       4 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second fixation elements comprises a bone screw.  
   
   
       5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one load bearing filament extends continuously along a predefined circuitous path which extends between and at least partially around each of said first and second fortified apertures.  
   
   
       6 . The connector of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one load bearing filament is laid along said predefined circuitous path via embroidery.  
   
   
       7 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one load bearing filament includes multiple aperture-forming strands extending around each of said first and second apertures.  
   
   
       8 . The connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a backing sheet.  
   
   
       9 . The connector of  claim 8 , wherein said backing sheet comprises at least one of an embroidered article, a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, and a plastic sheet.  
   
   
       10 . A connector configured to extend between a first vertebral bone portion and a second vertebral bone portion, comprising: 
 a first fixation region configured for juxtaposition with said first vertebral bone portion and having a first fortified fastener-receiving element dimensioned to receive a first fastener;    a second fixation region configured for juxtaposition with said second vertebral bone portion and having a second fortified fastener-receiving element dimensioned to receive a second fastener; and    at least one load bearing filament extending at least between said first and second fixation regions.    
   
   
       11 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second vertebral bone portions comprise adjacent vertebral bodies.  
   
   
       12 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said first and second fastener-receiving elements comprises an aperture.  
   
   
       13 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second fastener-receiving elements are fortified by binding filaments.  
   
   
       14 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said first and second fasteners comprises a bone screw.  
   
   
       15 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one load bearing filament extends continuously along a predefined circuitous path which extends between and at least partially around each of said first and second fortified apertures.  
   
   
       16 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one load bearing filament is laid along said predefined circuitous path via embroidery.  
   
   
       17 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one load bearing filament includes multiple aperture-forming strands extending around each of said first and second apertures.  
   
   
       18 . The connector of  claim 10 , further comprising a backing sheet.  
   
   
       19 . The connector of  claim 18 , wherein said backing sheet comprises at least one of an embroidered article, a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, and a plastic sheet.