ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 23 -- United States Patent no. 12,364,516, issued on July 22, was assigned to Globus Medical Inc. (Audubon, Pa.).
"Pedicle screw having a removable rod coupling" was invented by Hong Zhang (Plano, Texas) and Dan Sucato (Dallas).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A pedicle screw for spinal fixation having a bone fastener portion a permanent rod coupling, a breakaway portion connected to the permanent rod coupling and a temporary rod coupling. A permanent rod can be positioned in the permanent rod coupling and a temporary rod can be positioned in the temporary rod coupling and when the temporary rod is not needed the temporary rod coupling can be removed by separation at a brea...