Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a bone fastener including a collar, a fastener member, and a pin. The collar can have an upper portion with slot to receive an elongated member and a lower portion with a socket and an opening. The fastener member can have head and shank portions. The socket can receive the head portion and prevent movement of the head portion through the opening when the head portion is out of registration with the opening. The head portion and the socket can be configured to allow angulation of the fastener member within a defined range of motion within a selected plane. The head portion and the socket can define apertures which can be aligned with each other when the head portion is in the socket and which can receive the pin. One embodiment provides a generally spherical head portion with a flat.

Abstract: A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The spinal implant includes a pair of elongated members and a variable length cross-link. A variable length cross-link device may include a fixed portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a first elongated member, a transverse portion ,and an adjustable portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a second elongated member and a transverse portion engaging member. Inserting the transverse portion of the fixed portion into the engaging portion of the adjustable portion may form a cross-link for stabilizing motion between two elongated members. Engaging the adjustable portion at a selected point on the transverse portion establishes a length selected by the surgeon. The surgical procedure may use minimally invasive surgery or non-minimally invasive surgery, as desired. Components may be inserted through sleeves attached to various coupling devices, or may be inserted and guided along wires.

Abstract: A polyaxial transverse connector for stabilizing a portion of the spine. Connector bodies are coupled to rods attached to either side of the spine. Heads of transverse members are positioned in the connector bodies such that they exhibit polyaxial motion. The transverse members may have curves or offsets to accommodate other components or patient anatomy. A connector connects the transverse members and male threaded inserts are advanced into the connector bodies to inhibit motion of the polyaxial transverse connector.

Abstract: A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The spinal implant includes a pair of elongated members and a variable length cross-link. A variable length cross-link device may include a fixed portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a first elongated member a transverse portion, and an adjustable portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a second elongated member and a transverse portion engaging member. Inserting the transverse portion of the fixed portion into the engaging portion of the adjustable portion may form a cross-link for stabilizing motion between two elongated members. Engaging the adjustable portion at a selected point on the transverse portion establishes a length selected by the surgeon. The surgical procedure may use minimally invasive surgery or non-minimally invasive surgery, as desired. Components may be inserted through sleeves attached to various coupling devices, or may be inserted and guided along wires.

Abstract: A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The implant can provide support in fusion situations. The spinal implant includes a pair of elongated members and a variable length cross-link. A variable length cross-link apparatus may couple to the first and second elongated members. Each variable length cross-link device may include a fixed portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a first elongated member. Each variable length cross-link may include a transverse portion. Each variable length cross-link may include an adjustable portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a second elongated member and a transverse portion engaging member. Inserting the transverse portion of the fixed portion into the engaging portion of the adjustable portion may form a cross-link for stabilizing motion between two elongated members. Engaging the adjustable portion at a selected point on the transverse portion establishes a length selected by the surgeon.

Abstract: A dynamic spinal stabilization system. The system can include a spinal stabilization rod and a pivoting collar which can be attached to a vertebra. The pivoting collar can define a bore which has internal surfaces and corresponding contact points. The bore can accept the rod and allow it to pivot about a contact point. The internal surfaces can be structured, shaped, and dimensioned to limit the range of motion of the rod in some or all directions. One portion of the rod can be flexible while another portion of the rod can be flexible. The flexible portion of the rod can engage the pivoting collar and bend within the pivoting collar to provide a greater range of motion.

Abstract: A polyaxial transverse connector for stabilizing a portion of the spine. Connector bodies are coupled to rods attached to either side of the spine. Heads of transverse members are positioned in the connector bodies such that they exhibit polyaxial motion. The transverse members may have curves or offsets to accommodate other components or patient anatomy. A connector connects the transverse members and male threaded inserts are advanced into the connector bodies to inhibit motion of the polyaxial transverse connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing spinal stabilization rods. One embodiment provides an instrument including a body (defining a threaded slot for receiving the spinal stabilization rod), an alignment feature, and a flange (for mounting the instrument on a bone anchor), each of which can correspond to portions of the bone anchor. The alignment feature can align the threads of the instrument and bone anchor to form substantially continuous threads. The alignment features can be a pin and a hole oriented radially with respect to the instrument. An actuator can actuate the instrument alignment features toward, or away from, the instrument body. An actuator slot can correspond to the instrument slot. The threads of the instrument slot can include a thread diameter transition portion. In some embodiments, the instrument threads can include an anti-splay feature which mitigates reaction moments arising from the reduction of the spinal stabilization rod.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing spinal stabilization rods. In one embodiment, a method can include attaching a collar to a boney structure. The collar can include a body and an extension, each including arms further defining threaded slots. A separation member can couple the body and the extension to each other. The method can include reducing the rod using the collar and separating the extension from the body by applying a torque to the extension. The separation of the extension from the body can be accomplished with one substantially continuous motion and can leave tissues adjacent to the collar substantially undisturbed. The arms of the extension can be prevented from splaying, thereby mitigating a moment during the reduction of the spinal stabilization rod through the extension. Thus, the separation member can transmit tensile forces and certain amounts of torques between the body and the extension.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and systems for spinal fixation and dynamic stabilization. Elongated members may be positioned lateral to spinous processes and coupled to two or more vertebrae. Interspinous members may be positioned between adjacent spinous processes and coupled to the elongated members. One embodiment of an interspinous member comprises a body and two lateral portions. The lateral portions may couple to the elongated members to position the interspinous members. An interspinous member and the positioning of the interspinous member may allow selected movement between the adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The implant can provide support in fusion situations. The spinal implant includes a pair of elongated members and a variable length cross-link. A variable length cross-link apparatus may couple to the first and second elongated members. Each variable length cross-link device may include a fixed portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a first elongated member. Each variable length cross-link may include a transverse portion. Each variable length cross-link may include an adjustable portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a second elongated member and a transverse portion engaging member. Inserting the transverse portion of the fixed portion into the engaging portion of the adjustable portion may form a cross-link for stabilizing motion between two elongated members. Engaging the adjustable portion at a selected point on the transverse portion establishes a length selected by the surgeon.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a bone fastener including a collar, a fastener member, and a pin. The collar can have an upper portion with slot to receive an elongated member and a lower portion with a socket and an opening. The fastener member can have head and shank portions. The socket can receive the head portion and prevent movement of the head portion through the opening when the head portion is out of registration with the opening. The head portion and the socket can be configured to allow angulation of the fastener member within a defined range of motion within a selected plane. The head portion and the socket can define apertures which can be aligned with each other when the head portion is in the socket and which can receive the pin. One embodiment provides a generally spherical head portion with a flat.