Bone anchoring device

Abstract

A bone anchoring device is provided that includes an anchoring element with a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebra, a connection element for connecting at least two anchoring elements, the connection element being made of an elastic material, a receiving part being connected to the shank for receiving the connection element and connecting the connection element to the shank, a seat for the connection element the seat being provided in the receiving part, and a locking element being engageable with the receiving part for fixation of the connection element in the seat. At least the portion of the connection element which is received in the recess has a substantially smooth-surface. The locking element has an engagement structure which contacts the surface of the connection element in such a way that a form-fit connection is provided.

1 . A bone anchoring device comprising
 an anchoring element comprising a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebrae;   a connection element for connecting at least two anchoring elements, the connection element being made of an elastic material;   a receiving part being connected to the shank for receiving the connection element and connecting the connection element to the shank;   a seat for the connection element the seat being provided in the receiving part;   a one piece locking element being rotatably engageable with the receiving part for fixation of the connection element in the seat;   wherein at least the portion of the connection element which is received in the seat has a substantially smooth surface and wherein the locking element has an engagement structure which contacts the surface of the connection element.   
     
     
         2 . The bone anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises an engagement structure which contacts the surface of the connection element. 
     
     
         3 . The bone anchoring device of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement structure of the locking element and the engagement structure of the seat are arranged on corresponding positions on opposite sides of the connection element. 
     
     
         4 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 2 , wherein the engagement structure of the seat is an elongate projection which extends in a direction transversely to a longitudinal direction of the connection element. 
     
     
         5 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving part has a substantially U-shaped recess forming two open legs with an inner thread provided on the legs and wherein the locking element is an inner screw to be screwed-in between the legs. 
     
     
         6 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 5 , wherein the engagement structure of the locking element is a ring-shaped projection. 
     
     
         7 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 2 , wherein the engagement structure of any one of the locking element and the seat comprises projections. 
     
     
         8 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 2 , wherein the engagement structure of any one of the locking element and the seat comprises depressions. 
     
     
         9 . The bone anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving part has a substantially U-shaped recess forming two open legs and wherein the seat is provided at the bottom of the recess. 
     
     
         10 . The bone anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein the bone anchoring element is pivotably connected to the receiving part and wherein the seat is provided in a pressure element which is movable in the receiving part and locks the angular position of the bone anchoring element if pressure is exerted on the pressure element. 
     
     
         11 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection element is made of an elastomer material. 
     
     
         12 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection element is a rod. 
     
     
         13 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the connection element is without any one of projections and depressions. 
     
     
         14 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement structure of the locking element engages the surface of the connection element to create an indirect form-fit connection. 
     
     
         15 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 2 , wherein the engagement structure of the seat engages the surface of the connection element to create an indirect form-fit connection. 
     
     
         16 . The bone anchoring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking of the connection element in the receiving part is achieved by a frictional connection with a portion of an indirect form-fit connection of the locking element with the connection element. 
     
     
         17 . The bone anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein the connection between the locking element and the receiving part is a threaded connection. 
     
     
         18 . The bone anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is clamped between the seat and the locking element and wherein a contour of the seat and a contour of the locking element deviate from the contour of the rod. 
     
     
         19 . A method of attaching a bone anchoring device to a bone or vertebrae, the method comprising:
 attaching an anchoring element to a bone or vertebrae;   connecting an elastic connection element to a receiving part connected to the anchoring element, the receiving part having a seat for receiving the connection element, the connection element configured to connect at least two anchoring elements;   fixing the connection element in the seat with a one piece locking element being rotatably engageable with the receiving part, the fixing comprising an engagement structure of the locking element contacting at least a portion of the connection element having a substantially smooth surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein fixing the connection element in the seat further comprises at least a portion of the connection element having a substantially smooth surface contacting an engagement structure of the seat. 
     
     
         21 - 25 . (canceled)