Abstract: A device for pulling a vertebral anchor with a strain gauge in combination with a tension rod. The device has a cylindrical telescopic housing made of a first hollow cylinder received inside a second hollow cylinder such that the two hollow cylinders define a longitudinal passage from the proximal to the distal end of the cylindrical telescopic housing. The tension rod is slidably disposed within the longitudinal passageway and has a means mounted on or near its distal end to attach to a vertebral anchor (or bone screw). The first and second hollow cylinders are biased apart by a mechanical spring, which resides inside the second hollow cylinder. A means for moving said tension rod in a proximal direction with respect to said telescopic housing is then operatively attached to the housing, as well as, a strain gauge to directly measure the amount of tension placed on the tension rod when the device is in use.

Abstract: An instrument and method for guiding a spinal implant from a location outside of a patient's body to a location adjacent an exposed portion of a bone anchor engaged to the patient's spine. The instrument is a guide rod having a connecting portion and a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis, with the connecting portion having a shaped end portion adapted to releasably engage a corresponding shaped end portion of the bone anchor. The guiding portion slideably engages a spinal implant and guides the implant along the longitudinal axis until the implant is positioned adjacent the exposed portion of the bone anchor for fixation thereto. The guide rod is then selectively separated or detached from the bone anchor and removed from the patient's body. In one aspect of the invention, the guiding portion is at least partially formed of a malleable material, such as aluminum or a shape-memory material, to allow the guiding portion to be bent or reshaped.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a bone screw to a spinal rod includes a body defining first and second channels for receiving the screw and rod, respectively. The body includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the channel receiving the bone screw. An internally tapered washer fits over the tapered outer surface of the body and is rotatable about the surface. The washer includes a slot to receive the bone screw. The screw channel in the body includes diverging walls so the bone screw can adopt variable angular orientations relative to the rod. The tapered washer can lock the screw in position by frictional engagement with the tapered outer surface of the body. A set screw operates as a pressure member to compress the rod, screw and body and washer together. In one embodiment, the rod and screw are in direct contact. In another embodiment, a third channel extends between the first and second channels to receive a transfer pin therein to provide indirect engagement of the rod and screw.

Abstract: An introduction apparatus for approximating a longitudinal member and an implant to permit fixation therebetween. The introduction apparatus having a gripping nose for securely engaging an implant, a lateral approximation mechanism for laterally aligning an implant and an offset longitudinal member, and a reduction mechanism for reducing the vertical distance between the implant and the longitudinal member. The introduction apparatus is provide with a gripping nose actuated by axial movement of a clamping shaft in an outer sleeve. The clamping shaft further includes an axial cannula for passage of a fastener to the implant.

Abstract: An angled bone fixation apparatus including a bone screw having a first end portion adapted to be surgically implantable into a patient's vertebral bone mass and at first and second spaced apart positions on the bone mass and a second end portion having a head portion with a load transfer surface thereon and a top surface. An elongated plate member having upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to each other and an elongated plate slot having a longitudinally extending axis with the slot being surrounded by a peripheral portion having outer opposed edges. The plate member has a first and second angled sidewall at the slot with the sidewalls each forming an acute angle with the upper and lower plate surfaces. A washer interfaces with the plate member and the bone screw, for distributing load from the bone screw to the plate member with the washer including an opening and upper and lower surfaces with the lower surface having a pair of spaced apart projections extending therefrom.