Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies and related instrumentation are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a modular bone anchor assembly allows for a bone anchor to be driven into bone and a head or receiver member to be attached thereto at some later point in time. The bone anchor can have a smaller footprint than the complete assembly, which can improve visualization and anatomical spatial awareness during insertion of the bone anchor and during other surgical steps performed prior to attaching the head or receiver member to the bone anchor. A variety of modular head types are disclosed, as are various instruments for driving a bone anchor, attaching a head to a bone anchor, removing a head from a bone anchor, and making a unilateral attachment to a head of a bone anchor assembly. Drive interfaces for driving a bone anchor are disclosed, as are features that allow a bone anchor to act as a fixation point for soft tissue retraction, disc space distraction, derotation, and the like.

Abstract: An anti-splaying system having a base, first and second arms, first and second locking channels. Each of the first and second locking channels is formed in a respective one of the arms, from a proximal opening to a proximal bottom at or adjacent a proximal beginning of an inner thread in the arm. The system can instead or also include a set screw having a driving portion, a body portion, external threads extending from the body portion, and an intermediate locking component connected rotatably to the body portion. The intermediate locking component and the channels are configured such that the locking component can, in operation of the system, be moved into a securing position in the locking channels and, when in the secured position, fixes the two arms from splaying away from each other. The technology also includes methods for making the system or components thereof.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device is provided including a modular head assembly and a bone screw. The modular had assembly includes a housing, an anvil, an insert, and a snap ring. The housing defines a proximal surface and an opposite, distal surface, and the proximal and distal surfaces define a throughbore therethrough. The anvil is configured to be slidably received within a portion of the throughbore. The insert defines a proximal surface and an opposite, distal surface, and the distal surface defines a first counterbore therein that terminates at a first annular surface. The first annular surface defines a second counterbore that terminates at a second annular surface. The snap ring is configured to be disposed within the first counterbore of the insert when in a first configuration, and within the second counterbore of the insert when in a second configuration.

Abstract: A tool set for implanting a rod in a human spine in conjunction with bone screws.

Abstract: Open implant closure structures include a helically wound guide and advancement flange form having splay control surfaces. Multi-start closures and closures with inner set screws have splay control contours for interlocking with cooperating flange forms of bone anchor receivers. Flange form heights, thicknesses and other geometry, such as splay control ramp angle may be varied.

Abstract: A tool set for implanting a rod in a human spine in conjunction with bone screws. The tool set includes a pair of end guide tools that receive opposite ends of the rod in channels and under manipulation by a surgeon facilitate transport of the rod toward the bone screws attached to the guide tools. Intermediate guide tools having guiding pass through slots are utilized to guide intermediate locations along the rod toward associated bone screws. An attachment structure operably connects the guide tools to the bone screws. The guide tools each include a lower guide and advancement structure to allow a closure top with mating structure to be rotated and driven downward against the rod and to cooperate with similar structure in the bone screw to seat and lock the rod therein. A method utilizing the tool set allows a surgeon to percutaneously implant the rod in the patient.

Abstract: Open implant closure structures include a helically wound guide and advancement flange form having splay control surfaces. Multi-start closures and closures with inner set screws have splay control contours for interlocking with cooperating flange forms of bone anchor receivers. Flange form heights, thicknesses and other geometry, such as splay control ramp angle may be varied.

Abstract: Open implant closure structures include a helically wound guide and advancement flange form having splay control surfaces. Multi-start closures and closures with inner set screws have splay control contours for interlocking with cooperating flange forms of bone anchor receivers. Flange form heights, thicknesses and other geometry, such as splay control ramp angle may be varied.

Abstract: Open implant closure structures include a helically wound guide and advancement flange form having splay control surfaces. Multi-start closures and closures with inner set screws have splay control contours for interlocking with cooperating flange forms of bone anchor receivers. Flange form heights, thicknesses and other geometry, such as splay control ramp angle may be varied.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device combines an open-headed anchor member, such as a bone screw or a hook, with a closure member to thereby clamp a spinal fixation rod to the anchor member. The anchor member has spaced apart arms forming a rod receiving channel. The arms have arm extensions or tabs connected to main portions of the arms by weakened regions to enable the tabs to be broken-off or separated after the rod is clamped. The closure member and inner surfaces of the arms and tabs have helical anti-splay guide and advancement interlocking flanges formed thereon which cooperate to prevent splaying the arms and extensions as the closure member is advanced into the rod receiving channel. The flanges have anti-splay contours which can be formed on load flanks or stab flanks of the flanges. The load flanks can be oriented in such a manner as to aid in the anti-splay characteristics of the flanges or to control the proportioning of axial stresses between the flanges.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device combines an open-headed anchor member, such as a bone screw or a hook, with a closure member to thereby clamp a spinal fixation rod to the anchor member. The anchor member has spaced apart arms forming a rod receiving channel. The closure member and inner surfaces of the arms and tabs have helical anti-splay guide and advancement interlocking flanges formed thereon which cooperate to prevent splaying the arms and extensions as the closure member is advanced into the rod receiving channel.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device combines an open-headed anchor member, such as a bone screw or a hook with spaced apart arms forming a rod receiving channel. The arms have break-off arm extensions that are broken-off or separated after the rod is clamped. The closure and inner surfaces of the arms and tabs have mating helical anti-splay guide and advancement flanges formed thereon which radially interlock and mechanically cooperate to prevent splaying the arms and extensions as the closure is advanced into the rod receiving channel.

Abstract: An anti-splay member is configured for engagement with a bone fastener and includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and a threaded cavity extending along the longitudinal axis. The cavity is configured for engagement with a screw. Opposing retainer members extend transversely from the body and are configured to engage a proximal end of the bone fastener to prevent radial expansion of the proximal end. At least one locking member extends from the body and is configured for engagement with the proximal end of the bone fastener. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: Open implant closure structures include a helically wound guide and advancement flange form having splay control surfaces. Multi-start closures and closures with inner set screws have splay control contours for interlocking with cooperating flange forms of bone anchor receivers. Flange form heights, thicknesses and other geometry, such as splay control ramp angle may be varied.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises an assembly for performing a gradual lateral spinal alignment of a spine. The assembly includes a toggle bolt that includes a shaft and a toggle wing, a rigid stabilizing rod with an orifice, a cable attached to the toggle bolt and a tube enclosing the cable and extending out of the patient's back. The toggle bolt extends through the stabilizing rod and is positioned against the misaligned spine. The toggle bolt is placed in a bore through the body of a vertebra and deployed, The attached cable is pulled using the stabilizing rod as a brace to pull the spine into alignment. The device allows the spine to be gradually placed into alignment helping to avoid trauma on the spine and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device combines an open-headed anchor member, such as a bone screw or a hook with spaced apart arms forming a rod receiving channel. The arms have break-off arm extensions that are broken-off or separated after the rod is clamped. The closure and inner surfaces of the arms and tabs have mating helical anti-splay guide and advancement flanges formed thereon which radially interlock and mechanically cooperate to prevent splaying the arms and extensions as the closure is advanced into the rod receiving channel.

Abstract: A low profile spinal stabilization system according to one embodiment includes an elongated fixation element having a socket. The system also includes an anchor element having a spherical end for insertion into the socket of the elongated fixation element, the spherical end having a plurality of petals separated by a plurality of radially arranged slots. The system further includes a locking element for insertion into the spherical end of the anchor element to lock the spherical end of the anchor element inside the socket of the elongated fixation element.

Abstract: A convex spinal fusion interbody space device includes spaced apart superior and inferior abutment surfaces which are effectively medially convex. The peak of such convexity is displaced anteriorly of a central plane through the device. The spacer device has a height which is greater than the width of the device. The spacer device is implanted between a pair of adjacent vertebrae by insertion in a tipped-over orientation and then reoriented to an upright orientation for engagement by facing surfaces of the vertebrae. Fusion promoting bone material is packed between the vertebrae and about and within the spacer device subsequent to implantation.

Abstract: In order to simplify the construction and handling capability of a surgical retaining screw comprising a shaft which has an external thread, a head part which is connected to the shaft securely or movably and has an interior space open towards the upper side located opposite the shaft as well as two openings which are arranged on oppositely located sides of the head part, are open towards the upper side and form a receptacle for a bar-like connecting part, and a clamping screw which can be screwed into the interior space from the upper side in such a manner that it clamps a connecting part placed in the receptacle in this receptacle, it is suggested that the clamping screw be screwed into a screw sleeve which abuts with a conical outer surface tapering towards the upper side of the head part on the complementary conical inner surface of a bearing sleeve surrounding the screw sleeve and that the bearing sleeve be held on the head part to as to be secured against any displacement in the direction towards the up

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper portion with a capture structure thereon, a retaining and articulating structure, a compression structure and a receiver for holding the capture structure, retaining and articulating structure, compression structure and a rod. The receiver includes arms that define a channel for receiving the rod. The arms have inner surfaces with a discontinuous flange form thereon for mating with a cooperating continuous flange form of a closure structure for capturing the rod within the receiver. The shank capture structure and the retaining and articulating structure are threadably attached and secured to one another with a buttress stop. In operation, the compression structure is disposed within the receiver between the shank upper portion and a rod but presses only upon the retaining and articulating structure.

Abstract: An anti-splay closure with a multi-surfaced aperture, such as a multi-lobular socket, includes a cylindrical body with an external, continuous, helically extending anti-splay guide and advancement flange and a breakaway installation head. The multi-lobular socket includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes extending parallel to a closure axis of the plug and which circumferentially alternate with spline receiving grooves extending parallel to the closure axis. The closure is used with an open headed bone implant screw having arms that are provided with internal, helically extending mating guide and advancement structures complementary to the body flange to allow slidable mating with the body upon rotation thereof and radial interlocking between the arms and the body.

Abstract: A structure including a pair of helically wound interlocking forms located on a cylindrical closure for an open headed medical implant and in a receiver between arms of the implant respectively. The interlocking forms each include overlapping gripping elements that engage mating elements during assembly to prevent radial splaying of arms of the implant.

Abstract: An anti-splay closure with a left handed threaded removal bore, includes a cylindrical closure body with an external, continuous, helically extending anti-splay guide and advancement flange and a breakaway installation head. The removal bore is aligned with an axis of the closure body. The bore thread is sized and shaped to receive a removal tool having mating left handed thread. The closure is used with an open headed bone implant screw which is provided with internal, helically extending mating guide and advancement structure complementary to the flange of the closure body.

Abstract: A low-profile bone anchoring system particularly suited to pelvis fixation in conjunction with spinal correction. The preferred embodiment utilizes screw fixation, followed by deployment of penetrating anchoring arms, expansion of outer sleeve, or both. The proximal ends of the screw anchors are preferably flush or deep to the bone surface. An internal screw mechanism is utilized to deploy side anchoring arms, or expansion of outer sleeve, or both. Serrated top edge interfaces with low profile variable axis/angled elbow (VAE), which has varying lengths/dimensions to accommodate anatomy and differing rod sizes. The VAEs preferably feature a serrated bottom edge to interface with anchor screw. Locking screw at elbow secures into inner threads of pelvis anchor screw. Each VAE captures a rod, end to end, or by passing rod through the side of elbow.

Abstract: An anti-splay closure with a multi-surfaced aperture, such as a multi-lobular socket, includes a cylindrical body with an external, continuous, helically extending anti-splay guide and advancement flange and a breakaway installation head.

Abstract: A bone stabilizing system includes a collar that has a tubular sidewall with an interior surface and an exterior surface each extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the interior surface at least partially bounding a longitudinal passage extending therethrough. The collar also includes a pair of opposing spaced apart channels transversely extending through the sidewall at the first end thereof and a pair of spaced apart bayonet prongs projecting from the first end of the tubular sidewall. A screw has a threaded portion and a head disposed on an end thereof, the head of the screw being disposed within the longitudinal passage of the collar. A locking cap has a hole extending therethrough and a pair of spaced apart bayonet slots formed thereon, the bayonet slots being configured to receive and engage with the pair of bayonet prongs.

Abstract: Bone fixation systems for stabilizing bones such as vertebral bodies are disclosed. The fixation systems include fixation connectors that preferably are equipped with bone anchors (e.g., screws, hooks, pins or like structures) for securing the fixation connectors to bones desired to be stabilized. The fixation systems also include linking elements (e.g., rods, plates or other members) for linking the fixation connectors together to form a stabilizing construct capable of maintaining a desired spacial relationship between bones desired to be stabilized.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates minimally invasive spine surgery. The system includes screw preparation instruments that include a targeted guide with a laser attached to a fluoroscope, at least one polyaxial screw and rod guidance instruments that selectively insert the at least one polyaxial screw within the spine. The screw preparation instruments include an awl, a hand-held drill or tap, a ball-tipped probe, a cannulated depth gauge ruler, and a hexagonal screwdriver. Each screw preparation instrument have respective handles marked with a targeting guide oriented along respective central axes of the instruments. The rod guidance instruments include a rod with a tapered tip, a T-handle rod holder, a T-handle alignment guide, an alignment marker sleeve, a flexible alignment marker with a polyaxial head, and a template rod.