Spinal Implant Assembly

Abstract

A spinal implant assembly comprising an intervertebral device configured to be installed in a spinal disc space, the intervertebral device having a head component and a body component, the spinal implant assembly further comprising a coupling body for coupling the head component of the intervertebral device and an elongate member, the coupling body and head component each having a longitudinal axis, wherein the head component can be received by the coupling body with its longitudinal axis at a selected angle within a predetermined range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling body.

1 . A spinal implant assembly comprising
 an intervertebral device configured to be installed in a spinal disc space, the intervertebral device having a head component and a body component,   the spinal implant assembly further comprising a coupling body for coupling the head component of the intervertebral device and an elongate member, the coupling body and head component each having a longitudinal axis,   wherein the head component can be received by the coupling body with the longitudinal axis of the head component at a selected angle within a predetermined range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling body.   
     
     
         2 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly further comprises an elongate member, the coupling body receiving the elongate member and the head component of the intervertebral device when assembled. 
     
     
         3 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the head component of the intervertebral device is releasably attachable to the body component. 
     
     
         4 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the head component of the intervertebral device is releasably attachable to the body component via a threaded connection. 
     
     
         5 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the head component has a head portion and a shank portion, the shank portion being at least partially externally threaded,
 the body component having a bore with a first open end, the bore being at least partially internally threaded, the internal threads of the bore corresponding with the external threads of the shank portion of the head component such that the head component is releasably attachable to the body component.   
     
     
         6 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the head portion of the head component is at least partially spherical;
 wherein the coupling body comprises a hollow tubular body, the head portion of the head component being receivable in the hollow tubular body; and   wherein the coupling body has a first opening in a first end and a second opening in a second end, the first opening being larger in diameter than that of the head portion and the second opening being smaller in diameter than that of the head portion, a portion of the inner surface of the coupling body having a concavely curved inner surface, the curved inner surface corresponding with the at least partially spherical head portion, such that the head component may be positioned polyaxially relative to the coupling body when assembled.   
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling body has at least a first slot. 
     
     
         10 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the coupling body has a second slot. 
     
     
         11 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a rod. 
     
     
         12 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member has a first end that is at least partially spherical. 
     
     
         13 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the elongate member has a second end that is at least partially spherical. 
     
     
         14 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly further comprises a washer for location between the head component and the elongate member when assembled. 
     
     
         15 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the washer has first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface being concavely curved and facing the first end of the elongate member when assembled. 
     
     
         16 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the washer has first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface having an elongate groove for receiving the elongate member when assembled. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the body component of the intervertebral device is externally tapered. 
     
     
         19 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the body component has a proximal end and a distal end and the external taper of the body component tapers towards the proximal end of the bolt. 
     
     
         20 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the body component is externally threaded. 
     
     
         21 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the body component has a hollow bore. 
     
     
         22 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the head component has a shank portion insertable within the hollow bore of the body component, the shank portion of the head component being shorter in length than the hollow bore of the body component such that with the shank portion fully inserted in the body component, at least some hollow space in the hollow bore remains unoccupied by the shank portion. 
     
     
         23 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the body component has at least one aperture, the aperture communicating with the hollow bore. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly further comprises a compression member for compressing the elongate member and the head component in locking engagement within the coupling body. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly further comprises a ring, configured to be received around the coupling body when assembled. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of installing a spinal implant assembly according to  claims 1 , the method comprising the steps of
 providing a spinal implant assembly according to  claim 1 ;   implanting the body component of the intervertebral device between adjacent vertebrae or between a vertebra and the sacrum;   coupling the intervertebral device with the coupling body, before or after implanting the body component, wherein the head component can be received by the coupling body such that its longitudinal axis is at a selected angle within a predetermined range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling body.   
     
     
         32 . (canceled)