Abstract: A spinal implant that has a rod that connects and stabilizes the vertebrae of a vertebral column. The implant has screws that are attached to the vertebrae. Each screw has a clamp with a first bore that allows the clamp to be placed over the screw. The first bore of the clamp is larger than the major diameter of the screw, so that the clamp can float about the screws. The clamps each have a second bore perpendicular to the first bore, adapted to receive and hold the rod. Integrally formed with the second bore of each clamp are a pair of flanges. When the flanges are deflected inward, the clamp "grabs" the rod. The clamp is placed on a hexagonally shaped shoulder of the screw. A nut is fastened onto the opposite side of the clamp, such that the flanges are pressed between the shoulder and the nut. The diameter of the second bore and rod are approximately the same so that a small deflection of the flanges produces a large clamping force on the rod.

Abstract: A symmetric self locking nut with a deflecting annular flange that allows the nut to be installed from opposite ends. The nut has a shank with a threaded hole through the longitudinal axis of the shank. Extending from the shank perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is at least one annular flange. At the end of the flange are a pair of annular rims that extend in opposite directions from the flange. The rims define the outmost end portions of the nut and have outer surfaces that engage the working surface of a workpiece. When the nut is screwed onto the bolt and one of the rims engages the workpiece, the flange deflects causing the nut thread nearest the workpiece to press against the adjacent thread of the bolt. The deflection of the flange increases the frictional force between the threads of the nut and bolt, insuring that the nut is in constant contact with the bolt even when the fasteners are subjected to vibrational loading.

Abstract: A bone broach and method of manufacture of the same for broaching the inside of a femur or other bone preparatory to the receipt of an implant, as in the installation of an artificial hip or the like. The borach is comprised of a support mandrel and a plurality of broach plates stacked on the mandrel and angularly referenced thereto, each of the broach plates having a peripheral surface shaped at least in part to form a cutting edge to define at least part of the desired bone opening for the respective axial position of that broach plate on the mandrel. In this manner, individual broach plates may be cut and finished as desired, so that once stacked on the mandrel in the appropriate order, the same collectively will define the desired three dimensional broach surface. Various embodiments are disclosed.