Abstract: A bone plate and plating system are for use of the same are disclosed. The bone plate includes a body having a span sufficient to overlap a portion of a bone. A screw hole extends through the body in order to receive a bone screw to attach for engaging the plate to the bone. The screw hole includes a counterbore having a beveled surface that intersects at a pinch point a bore having a conical surface of revolution that transitions into the bone engaging surface of the body. The beveled surface includes a variable geometry defining interleaved and rotationally-spaced contact and non-contact bone screw regions.

Abstract: A spinal cross-connector for connection between adjacent first and second rods and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a coupling member including a bar extends from a body portion opposite to and in longitudinal axial alignment with a c-shaped arm. A second coupling member which includes a rack extends from a body portion opposite to and in longitudinal axial alignment with a another c-shaped arm. The rack is superposed in a selectively adjustable overlapping mechanical engagement with the bearing surface. Each c-shaped arm includes an arcuate extension extending substantially parallel to the bar to define a gripping pocket. A set screw includes a conical profile that extends substantially perpendicular to the arcuate extension. The advance of the set screw is operable to urge the rod into pressing contact with the gripping pocket to secure the rod therein.

Abstract: A pedicle screw fixation system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tulip is provided for holding a head of a pedicle screw substantially along a longitudinal axis. The tulip includes opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots aligned along a transverse axis. A rod is received by the opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots. A coupling collar includes a plurality of resilient fingers circumferentially disposed therearound such that a snap fit engagement with the head of the pedicle screw formed. The coupling collar includes a first deformable face operable for contact with the rod. A set screw is for adapted for driving engagement through the tulip along the longitudinal axis such that a second deformable face is positioned for contact with the rod. The first and second deformable faces conform to the shape of the rod in response to forceful engagement therewith.

Abstract: A bone screw is disclosed. A head includes a driver-receiving element formed thereon. A shank having a proximal portion, which is integrally connected to the head, and a distal portion maintains a constant diameter from the proximal portion to the distal portion. Three helical threads extend around the shank from the proximal portion to the distal portion. The three helical threads are symmetrically and helically aligned and advance uniformly along the length of the shank for each revolution to define a thread depth that remains constant along the length of the shank. The three helical threads respectively include three leads, which are offset by approximately 120° from each another. A tip is integrally connected to the distal portion of the shank and the tip intersects with a flute to define a self-tapping point.

Abstract: A spinal cross-connector for connection between adjacent first and second rods and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a coupling member including a bar extends from a body portion opposite to and in longitudinal axial alignment with a c-shaped arm. A second coupling member which includes a rack extends from a body portion opposite to and in longitudinal axial alignment with a another c-shaped arm. The rack is superposed in a selectively adjustable overlapping mechanical engagement with the bearing surface. Each c-shaped arm includes an arcuate extension extending substantially parallel to the bar to define a gripping pocket. A set screw includes a conical profile that extends substantially perpendicular to the arcuate extension. The advance of the set screw is operable to urge the rod into pressing contact with the gripping pocket to secure the rod therein.

Abstract: A pedicle screw fixation system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tulip is provided for holding a head of a pedicle screw substantially along a longitudinal axis. The tulip includes opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots aligned along a transverse axis. A rod is received by the opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots. A coupling collar includes a plurality of resilient fingers circumferentially disposed therearound such that a snap fit engagement with the head of the pedicle screw formed. The coupling collar includes a first deformable face operable for contact with the rod. A set screw is for adapted for driving engagement through the tulip along the longitudinal axis such that a second deformable face is positioned for contact with the rod. The first and second deformable faces conform to the shape of the rod in response to forceful engagement therewith.

Abstract: A pedicle screw fixation system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tulip is provided for holding a head of a pedicle screw substantially along a longitudinal axis. The tulip includes opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots aligned along a transverse axis. A rod is received by the opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots. A coupling collar includes a plurality of resilient fingers circumferentially disposed therearound such that a snap fit engagement with the head of the pedicle screw formed. The coupling collar includes a first deformable face operable for contact with the rod. A set screw is for adapted for driving engagement through the tulip along the longitudinal axis such that a second deformable face is positioned for contact with the rod. The first and second deformable faces conform to the shape of the rod in response to forceful engagement therewith.

Abstract: A spinal cross-connector for connection between adjacent first and second rods and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a coupling member including a bar extends from a body portion opposite to and in longitudinal axial alignment with a c-shaped arm. A second coupling member which includes a rack extends from a body portion opposite to and in longitudinal axial alignment with a another c-shaped arm. The rack is superposed in a selectively adjustable overlapping mechanical engagement with the bearing surface. Each c-shaped arm includes an arcuate extension extending substantially parallel to the bar to define a gripping pocket. A set screw includes a conical profile that extends substantially perpendicular to the arcuate extension. The advance of the set screw is operable to urge the rod into pressing contact with the gripping pocket to secure the rod therein.

Abstract: A pedicle screw fixation system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tulip is provided for holding a head of a pedicle screw substantially along a longitudinal axis. The tulip includes opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots aligned along a transverse axis. A rod is received by the opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots. A coupling collar includes a plurality of resilient fingers circumferentially disposed therearound such that a snap fit engagement with the head of the pedicle screw formed. The coupling collar includes a first deformable face operable for contact with the rod. A set screw is for adapted for driving engagement through the tulip along the longitudinal axis such that a second deformable face is positioned for contact with the rod. The first and second deformable faces conform to the shape of the rod in response to forceful engagement therewith.

Abstract: A bone plate and plating system are for use of the same are disclosed. The bone plate includes a body having a span sufficient to overlap a portion of a bone. A screw hole extends through the body in order to receive a bone screw to attach for engaging the plate to the bone. The screw hole includes a counterbore having a beveled surface that intersects at a pinch point a bore having a conical surface of revolution that transitions into the bone engaging surface of the body. The beveled surface includes a variable geometry defining interleaved and rotationally-spaced contact and non-contact bone screw regions.

Abstract: A bone plate and plating system are for use of the same are disclosed. The bone plate includes a body having a span sufficient to overlap a portion of a bone. A screw hole extends through the body in order to receive a bone screw to attach for engaging the plate to the bone. The screw hole includes a counterbore having a beveled surface that intersects at a pinch point a bore having a conical surface of revolution that transitions into the bone engaging surface of the body. The beveled surface includes a variable geometry defining interleaved and rotationally-spaced contact and non-contact bone screw regions.

Abstract: A pedicle screw fixation system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tulip is provided for holding a head of a pedicle screw substantially along a longitudinal axis. The tulip includes opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots aligned along a transverse axis. A rod is received by the opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots. A coupling collar includes a plurality of resilient fingers circumferentially disposed therearound such that a snap fit engagement with the head of the pedicle screw formed. The coupling collar includes a first deformable face operable for contact with the rod. A set screw is for adapted for driving engagement through the tulip along the longitudinal axis such that a second deformable face is positioned for contact with the rod. The first and second deformable faces conform to the shape of the rod in response to forceful engagement therewith.

Abstract: A pedicle screw fixation system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tulip is provided for holding a head of a pedicle screw substantially along a longitudinal axis. The tulip includes opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots aligned along a transverse axis. A rod is received by the opposing first and second U-shaped receiving slots. A coupling collar includes a plurality of resilient fingers circumferentially disposed therearound such that a snap fit engagement with the head of the pedicle screw formed. The coupling collar includes a first deformable face operable for contact with the rod. A set screw is adapted for driving engagement through the tulip along the longitudinal axis such that a second deformable face is positioned for contact with the rod. The first and second deformable faces conform to the shape of the rod in response to forceful engagement therewith.

Abstract: A spinal cross-connector for connection between adjacent first and second rods and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a coupling member including a bar extends from a body portion opposite to and in longitudinal axial alignment with a c-shaped arm. A second coupling member which includes a rack extends from a body portion opposite to and in longitudinal axial alignment with a another c-shaped arm. The rack is superposed in a selectively adjustable overlapping mechanical engagement with the bearing surface. Each c-shaped arm includes an arcuate extension extending substantially parallel to the bar to define a gripping pocket. A set screw includes a conical profile that extends substantially perpendicular to the arcuate extension. The advance of the set screw is operable to urge the rod into pressing contact with the gripping pocket to secure the rod therein.

Abstract: A bone screw is disclosed. A head includes a driver-receiving element formed thereon. A shank having a proximal portion, which is integrally connected to the head, and a distal portion maintains a constant diameter from the proximal portion to the distal portion. Three helical threads extend around the shank from the proximal portion to the distal portion. The three helical threads are symmetrically and helically aligned and advance uniformly along the length of the shank for each revolution to define a thread depth that remains constant along the length of the shank. The three helical threads respectively include three leads, which are offset by approximately 120° from each another. A tip is integrally connected to the distal portion of the shank and the tip intersects with a flute to define a self-tapping point.