Vertebral column implant

Abstract

A vertebral column implant comprises a connecting element, which is insertable in the vertebral bodies of a vertebral column via several bone screws. The screws are each provided with a head part for receiving the connecting element, by means of which a firm connection is achievable between bone screws and connecting element. The connecting element is composed of rigid sections and elastic sections. Here the rigid sections are connectible to the elastic sections via connecting devices. The connecting devices are designed such that the rigid sections and the elastic sections, in each case connected to one another, are aligned substantially coaxially, and their connection is form-fitting.

1 . A vertebral column implant, comprising
 a connecting element,   a multiplicity of bone screws, the bone screws being screwable into vertebral bodies of a vertebral column,   each of the screws being provided with a head part for receiving the connecting element, with the head parts providing a firm connection between the bone screws and the connecting element,   the connecting element including rigid sections and elastic sections, and   connecting devices connecting the rigid sections and the elastic sections together with the rigid sections and the elastic sections being aligned substantially coaxially by a form-fitting connection.   
     
     
         2 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the rigid sections are made of a metal alloy. 
     
     
         3 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic sections are made of a biocompatible synthetic material based on polyurethane. 
     
     
         4 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 3 , wherein the surface of the elastic sections is provided with encircling ribs and grooves. 
     
     
         5 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting devices are each attached at an end of the rigid sections. 
     
     
         6 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting devices are each attached at the head part of the screws. 
     
     
         7 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the head parts of the screws are separate from the screws, and the head parts have a receiving region for receiving the bone screw, the rigid section is fixed in the head part of the bone screw by a clamping screw. 
     
     
         8 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 7 , wherein the receiving region of the head part of the bone screw has a shape of a spherical recess for receiving the bone screw, and an upper portion of the bone screw includes a spherical head. 
     
     
         9 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 8 , wherein an insert piece is located between the spherical head of the bone screw and the rigid section. 
     
     
         10 . The vertebral column implant according to  claim 9 , wherein the rigid section is located between the insert piece and the clamping screw. 
     
     
         11 . A vertebral column implant, comprising
 a connecting element and a multiplicity of bone screws, the multiplicity of bone screws being screwable into vertebral bodies of the vertebral column and each of the bone screws being provided with a head part for receiving the connecting element, the head parts providing a firm connection between the multiplicity of bone screws and the connecting element,   the connecting element including at least one rigid section and at least one elastic section,   both the at least one rigid section and the at least one elastic section having two ends, respectively, one of the two ends of the at least one rigid section being connectable to one of the two ends of the at least one elastic sections via a connecting device, said connecting device being formed on the one end of the two ends of the at least one rigid section,   the connecting device locking the one end of the at least one rigid section to the one end of the at least one elastic section in substantially coaxial alignment,   the head part having a recessed receiving region receiving a spherical upper portion of the bone screw.