Abstract: A method for stabilizing a spine includes providing a coupling element having upper and lower ends, a rod receiving opening adapted to receive an elongated stabilizing rod, a bore extending through the lower end and a seat surrounding the bore adjacent the lower end; providing a fastener having upper and lower ends, a head having a radial surface, and at least one anchoring element between the lower end of the fastener and the head; assembling the fastener with the coupling element; anchoring the fastener to bone; moving the coupling element relative to the fastener for capturing the elongated stabilizing rod in the rod receiving opening; and urging the captured stabilizing rod toward the head of the fastener so that the rod contacts the head and forces the radial surface of the head against the seat.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a hollow body having a pair of lateral braches extending from a leading end to a trailing end of the hollow body. The branches have opposing concave, non-threaded inner surfaces defining an internal space of the hollow body and outer surfaces defining an outer dimension of the hollow body. The hollow body has upper and lower faces extending between leading and trailing ends thereof. At least one of the lateral branches has a first opening extending between the outer and inner surfaces thereof, and a second opening located outside the internal space of the hollow body and extending between the upper and lower faces, the first and second openings being in communication with one another. The implant also includes an anchoring member insertible between the lateral branches and into the internal space of the hollow body, whereby the concave inner surfaces of the lateral branches substantially conform to the outer diameter of the anchoring member.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprising a hollow body having a leading end, a trailing end and a pair of lateral walls extending from the leading end to the trailing end, the lateral walls including concave, non-threaded inner surfaces defining an internal space of the hollow body. The implant includes an anchoring member insertible between the lateral walls and into the internal space of the hollow body, the anchoring member having bone anchoring projections defining an outer diameter of the anchoring member. When the anchoring member is inserted into the internal space of the hollow body, the concave inner surfaces of the lateral walls substantially conform to the outer diameter of the anchoring member.

Abstract: A spinal implant including a hollow body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a pair of lateral walls extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lateral walls having concave, non-threaded interior surfaces for defining an at least partially cylindrical internal space between the lateral walls.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprising a hollow body having a leading end, a trailing end and a pair of lateral walls extending from the leading end to the trailing end, the lateral walls including concave, non-threaded inner surfaces defining an internal space of the hollow body. The implant includes an anchoring member insertible between the lateral walls and into the internal space of the hollow body, the anchoring member having bone anchoring projections defining an outer diameter of the anchoring member. When the anchoring member is inserted into the internal space of the hollow body, the concave inner surfaces of the lateral walls substantially conform to the outer diameter of the anchoring member.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a hollow body having a pair of lateral braches extending from a leading end to a trailing end of the hollow body. The branches have opposing concave, non-threaded inner surfaces defining an internal space of the hollow body and outer surfaces defining an outer dimension of the hollow body. The hollow body has upper and lower faces extending between leading and trailing ends thereof. At least one of the lateral branches has a first opening extending between the outer and inner surfaces thereof, and a second opening located outside the internal space of the hollow body and extending between the upper and lower faces, the first and second openings being in communication with one another. The implant also includes an anchoring member insertible between the lateral branches and into the internal space of the hollow body, whereby the concave inner surfaces of the lateral branches substantially conform to the outer diameter of the anchoring member.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a hollow body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a pair of lateral walls extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lateral walls having a concave-shaped cross-section with curved exterior surfaces and having concave, non-threaded interior surfaces for defining an at least partially cylindrical internal space between the lateral walls. The spinal implant also includes an anchoring member having bone anchoring projections including a screw thread on an exterior surface thereof, wherein at least one of the lateral walls adjacent the proximal end of the hollow body includes a reentrant thread adapted to cooperate with the screw thread of the anchoring member when the anchoring element is rotated for enabling the anchoring member to be screwed into the internal space of the hollow body.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a hollow body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a pair of lateral walls extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lateral walls having concave, non-threaded interior surfaces for defining an at least partially cylindrical internal space between the lateral walls. The spinal implant also includes an anchoring member having bone anchoring projections including a screw thread on an exterior surface thereof, wherein at least one of the lateral walls adjacent the proximal end of the hollow body includes a reentrant thread adapted to cooperate with the screw thread of the anchoring member when the anchoring element is rotated for enabling the anchoring member to be screwed into the internal space of the hollow body.

Abstract: An implant device designed for replacing a vertebral body of the spine. The implant device contains at least one moving member so as to vary the distance between a first and second member. Most preferably this movement is achieved by rotating at least one cam about an axis. The cam or cams are shaped so as to comprise an irregular polygon thus allowing the height of the implant device to be varied at discrete positions. A slidable telescopic engagement device within the implant device affords the added advantage of simple adjustment and maneuverability.

Abstract: An osteosynthesis device, in particular for the spine. The device has an outer spherical surface and a substantially cylindrical inner surface, designed to receive a rod of the device. A ring has two matching parts (10) each being U-shaped and having a bottom and a pair of branches taking up a fraction of the axial dimension of the bottom. The distance between the branches is about the same as that of the rod diameter, their respective bottoms facing each other enclosing the rod, and their pairs of branches adjacent. The parts jointly define the outer and inner surfaces. The invention is applicable to linkages adjustable at different angles.

Abstract: A device for backbone osteosynthesis having a bone anchoring element, a linking rod for linking the anchoring element with other anchoring elements, an intermediate element, a swivel linkage between the intermediate element first part and the bone anchoring element, a clamping linkage between the intermediate element second part and the intervertebral linking rod, and a locking mechanism for the swivel and the clamping linkages. The clamping linkage includes a clip with two branches laterally adjusted from the swivel and open opposite same. The locking mechanism acts on the branches in the region of their free ends so as to stress the latter towards each other.

Abstract: A bone fixing device, in particular for fixing to the sacrum for osteosynthesis of the backbone. An elongate link receives at least one bone-fastening screw, which passes through an orifice formed in the link. In the bottom of the link there is a bearing surface of essentially circular cross-section. The head of the screw includes an essentially spherical surface for bearing against the bearing surface. The link includes a first thread in the vicinity of the orifice. The device further includes a plug having a second thread suitable for co-operating with the first thread. The plus is suitable for coming into clamping contact against said screw head to hold it in a desired angular position. The link is constituted by a single-piece plate-shaped element having the orifice and the first thread formed therein, with the bearing surface being essentially spherical.

Abstract: The osteosynthesis system has two anchor members (2) adapted to be fixed to two vertebrae (4), and a link member (6; 106) adapted to interconnect the anchor members and to exert stresses against the two anchor members moving towards each other in translation. The link member (6; 106) is elastically deformable in bending about a deformation axis (45, 47, 49). It has two fixing portions (16) adapted to be fixed to the two anchor members (2) and an intermediate portion (40). The intermediate portion is offset from an alignment axis (18) of the two fixing portions (16). The link member (6; 106) has two abutments (39) disposed so as to come into abutment against each other when the link member is deformed about the axis.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided that includes positioning equipment for an osteosynthesis system for a spinal column. The positioning equipment includes two elongate anchoring members each designed to be anchored in a vertebra of the column, and an elongate anchoring linking element designed to connect the anchoring members together. The system is designed to have an unlocked configuration in which each anchoring member can turn with respect to the anchoring linking element about a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the anchoring member and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the anchoring linking element. The system is also designed to have a locked configuration in which each anchoring member is rigidly fixed to the anchoring linking element. The equipment also includes to arms designed to be fixed removably to the two respective anchoring members and an elongate arm linking element designed to connect part of each arm together.

Abstract: A bone fixing device, in particular for fixing to the sacrum for osteosynthesis of the backbone, comprises elongate link means receiving at least one bone-fastening screw, which passes through an orifice formed in the link means. In the bottom of the link means there is included a bearing surface of essentially circular cross-section. The head of the screw includes an essentially spherical surface for bearing against said bearing surface. The link means include a first thread in the vicinity of said orifice. The device further includes a plug having a second thread suitable for co-operating with the first thread, the plug being suitable for coming into clamping contact against said screw head to hold it in a desired angular position. According to the invention, the link means are constituted by a single-piece plate-shaped element having the orifice and the first thread formed therein, and said bearing surface is essentially spherical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spinal instrument for essentially smooth adjustable connecting rods. The spinal instrument has a nut (5) that clamps receiving and locking assembly (8) to a multi-threaded bone anchor member (1). The receiving and locking assembly (8) has a compressible ring (24) disposed within a clamp (9) having a lower branch (10) and an upper branch (11) coupled between a connecting area (12). The connecting rod fits into the compressible ring (24). With the cavity-ring assembly forming a ball joint, the connecting rod may be clamped into the required angular position. Other features are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a spine includes providing a coupling element having upper and lower ends, a rod receiving opening adapted to receive an elongated stabilizing rod, a bore extending through the lower end and a conical-shaped seat surrounding the bore adjacent the lower end; providing a fastener having upper and lower ends, a head having a radial surface, and at least one anchoring element between the lower end of the fastener and the head; assembling the fastener with the coupling element so that the lower end of the fastener passes through the bore of the coupling element and the radial surface of the head engages the conical-shaped seat.