Abstract: A surgical instrument extendable through a cannula for moving a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis engageable with a first member connected with to the first bone portion. A second portion is engageable with a second member connected with the second bone portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion from a first position toward a second position to move the first and second bone portions away from each other. An actuator connected with the second portion moves the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device that provides access to a surgical location within a patient has an elongate body that has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a passage that extends through the elongate body. The elongate body is capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location. The first location is distal to the second location. The passage is capable of having a generally oval shaped cross section between the second location and the proximal end.

Abstract: A retractor has an elongate body and an expandable shroud. The elongate body has an outer surface and an inner surface partially defining a passage. The elongate body also has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The elongate body is capable of having an enlarged configuration when inserted within the patient. In the enlarged configuration the first longitudinal edge is spaced apart from the second longitudinal edge. The expandable shroud is configured to extend from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge when the first and second edges are spaced apart. The shroud partially defines the passage. The cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of the passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member (12) to the bone portion. A housing (40) has a first passage (42) configured to receive the longitudinal member and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener extends through an opening (50) in the housing into the second passage. A longitudinal axis (18) of the fastener is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to a longitudinal axis (46) of the second passage. A spacer (60) received in the second passage of the housing is engageable with the fastener and the longitudinal member. A positioning member (70) applies a force to prevent relative movement between the fastener and the housing and permit manual movement of the fastener relative to the housing against the force when the longitudinal member is disengaged from the spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member (12) to the bone portion. A housing (40) has a first passage (42) configured to receive the longitudinal member (12) and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). A longitudinal axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to a longitudinal axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) of the housing (40) is engageable with the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A member (70) applies a force to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing (40) and permit manual movement of the fastener (16) relative to the housing (40) against the force when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer (60).

Abstract: A surgical instrument extendable through a cannula for moving a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis engageable with a first member connected with to the first bone portion. A second portion is engageable with a second member connected with the second bone portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion from a first position toward a second position to move the first and second bone portions away from each other. An actuator connected with the second portion moves the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A housing (40) has a first passage (42) through which a longitudinal member (12) extends and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. A fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). An axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to an axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) engages the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A pin member (70) fixedly connected to the housing (40) extends into engagement with the spacer (60) to retain the spacer and the fastener (16) in the housing and maintain the spacer in frictional engagement with the fastener to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer. The fastener (16) and the housing (40) are manually movable relative to each other in opposition to the frictional engagement.

Abstract: A retractor has a proximal portion comprising a first side portion having a first longitudinal edge and a second side portion having a second longitudinal edge. The first and second portions being movable relative to each other such that the first and second longitudinal edges can be positioned in close proximity to each other or spaced apart by a selected distance. A distal portion is coupled with the proximal portion. The distal portion has an outer surface and an inner surface partially defining a passage. The distal portion is capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of the passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location.

Abstract: A surgical instrument extendable through a cannula for moving a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis engageable with a first member connected with to the first bone portion. A second portion is engageable with a second member connected with the second bone portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion from a first position toward a second position to move the first and second bone portions away from each other. An actuator connected with the second portion moves the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member (12) to the bone portion. A housing (40) has a first passage (42) configured to receive the longitudinal member and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener extends through an opening (50) in the housing into the second passage. A longitudinal axis (18) of the fastener is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to a longitudinal axis (46) of the second passage. A spacer (60) received in the second passage of the housing is engageable with the fastener and the longitudinal member. A positioning member (70) applies a force to prevent relative movement between the fastener and the housing and permit manual movement of the fastener relative to the housing against the force when the longitudinal member is disengaged from the spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (12) and a fastener (16) that connects the member to a bone portion. The fastener (16) has a first end portion (22) engageable with the bone portion, a second end portion (26) extending through an opening (50) in the member (12), and an intermediate portion (32) engageable with the member between the first and second end portions. A connecting ring (42) connects the member (12) to the fastener (16). The connecting ring (42) extends into the opening (50) in the member (12). The connecting ring (42) has a passage (54) with a longitudinal axis (56) through which the second end portion (26) of the fastener (16) extends. A clamping member (28) engages the second end portion (26) of the fastener (16) and the connecting ring (42) to connect the connecting ring to the member (12) and connect the fastener to the connecting ring in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the connecting ring.

Abstract: A surgical instrument extendable through a cannula for moving a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis engageable with a first member connected with to the first bone portion. A second portion is engageable with a second member connected with the second bone portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion from a first position toward a second position to move the first and second bone portions away from each other. An actuator connected with the second portion moves the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a first device including an actuatable clamp for clamping on a fastener fixed to a first bone portion and a carriage that is movable relative to the clamp when subjected to a predetermined axial load. A second device includes a portion adapted for threaded engagement with the carriage and an end portion for supporting a member for securing a rod connected to a second bone portion to the fastener. Relative rotation between the first and second devices causes relative axial movement between the second device and the carriage of the first-device. The carriage is stationary relative to the clamp of the first device when a force necessary to produce relative movement between the first and second bone portions is below the predetermined axial load so that relative rotation between the first and second devices first bone portion relative to the second bone portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10) includes a handle (12) and a member (30) for acting on tissue of a patient. A flexible stem (20) extends between the member (30) and the handle (12). The flexible stem (20) includes a tubular member (60) having a longitudinal axis (70) and radially inner and outer cylindrical surfaces (62 and 64) extending generally parallel to each other. The tubular member (60) has wedge-shaped slots (80 and 90) extending through the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces (62 and 64). Each of the wedge-shaped slots (80 and 90) is defined by first and second ring portions (92 and 94) extending at an angle to each other and transverse to the longitudinal axis (70). An actuator mechanism (14) connected with the handle (12) bends the flexible stem (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (12) having an elongate slot (50). A fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion has an end portion (26) extending through the elongate slot (50). A connecting ring (42) connects the member (12) to the fastener (16). The connecting ring (42) is positionable in any one of a plurality of positions along the elongate slot (50). The connecting ring (42) has a passage (54) through which the end portion (26) of the fastener (16) extends. The fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the connecting ring (42). First and second portions (64, 66) of the connecting ring (42) engage each other to connect the first and second portions together and prevent relative movement between the first and second portions.

Abstract: A housing (40) has a first passage (42) through which a longitudinal member (12) extends and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. A fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). An axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to an axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) engages the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A pin member (70) fixedly connected to the housing (40) extends into engagement with the spacer (60) to retain the spacer and the fastener (16) in the housing and maintain the spacer in frictional engagement with the fastener to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer. The fastener (16) and the housing (40) are manually movable relative to each other in opposition to the frictional engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member (12) to the bone portion. A housing (40) has a first passage (42) configured to receive the longitudinal member (12) and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). A longitudinal axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to a longitudinal axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) of the housing (40) is engageable with the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A member (70) applies a force to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing (40) and permit manual movement of the fastener (16) relative to the housing (40) against the force when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer (60).

Abstract: A transverse connector (10) for interconnecting first and second spine rods (12) extending along a spinal column includes a first connecting member (30) connectable with the first spine rod (12). A second connecting member (44) is connectable with the second spine rod (12). A connecting rod (42) connected to the first and second connecting members (30, 44) extends between the first and second connecting members. The connecting rod (42) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (51) of said connecting rod relative to said first connecting member and pivotable about a pivot axis (54) extending transverse to said longitudinal axis. A fastener (58) connects the connecting rod (42) to the first connecting member (30) in any one of a plurality of positions about the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod and in any one of a plurality of pivot positions about the pivot axis. The connecting rod (42) is also positionable along the longitudinal axis (51) of the connecting rod relative to the first connecting member (30).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (12) and a fastener (16) that connects the member to a bone portion. The fastener (16) has a first end portion (22) engageable with the bone portion, a second end portion (26) extending through an opening (50) in the member (12), and an intermediate portion (32) engageable with the member between the first and second end portions. A connecting ring (42) connects the member (12) to the fastener (16). The connecting ring (42) extends into the opening (50) in the member (12). The connecting ring (42) has a passage (54) with a longitudinal axis (56) through which the second end portion (26) of the fastener (16) extends. A clamping member (28) engages the second end portion (26) of the fastener (16) and the connecting ring (42) to connect the connecting ring to the member (12) and connect the fastener to the connecting ring in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the connecting ring.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in spinal corrective surgery includes two spinal rods (14, 16) at least partially extending along a vertebral column (18). A plurality of fixation elements fix the spinal rods (14, 16) to the vertebral column (18). A transverse connector (12) connects the spinal rods (14, 16) to each other. The transverse connector (12) has a first clamping member (24) with a spinal rod receiving channel for receiving one of the spinal rods (14). A connecting rod (28) integral with the first clamping member (24) extends transverse to the spinal rods (14, 16). The connecting rod (24) has a tapered portion (60) extending from the first clamping member (24). A first fastener (44) connects one of the spinal rods (14) to the first clamping member (24). A second clamping member (26) includes a spinal rod receiving channel (80) for receiving the other one of the spinal rods (16). The second clamping member (26) includes an opening (65) for receiving the connecting rod (28).