Abstract: A method for mounting a polyaxial screw into a bone includes rotating a drive cap so that a screw mounted to the drive cap is screwed into a bone, the drive cap having a socket in which a portion of the screw is pivotably disposed, at least a portion of a collet being disposed within the socket between the screw and the drive cap. A stabilizing structure and a fastener are positioned onto a shaft projecting from the drive cap. The fastener is advanced along the shaft so as to push a portion of a compression cap against the collet which in turn wedges the collet within the socket of the drive cap and causes the collet to bias against a portion of the screw, thereby locking the position of the screw, the collet, and the drive cap relative to each other.

Abstract: A cross connector that can be used with a spinal implant includes a first rod clamp having a first end and an opposing second end, the first rod clamp having a first clamp arm crossing a second clamp arm so as to form a scissor coupling. The cross connector also includes a second rod clamp and a cross bar assembly extending between the first rod clamp and the second rod clamp.

Abstract: A method for mounting a polyaxial screw into a bone includes rotating a drive cap so that a screw mounted to the drive cap is screwed into a bone, the drive cap having a socket in which a portion of the screw is pivotably disposed, at least a portion of a collet being disposed within the socket between the screw and the drive cap. A stabilizing structure and a fastener are positioned onto a shaft projecting from the drive cap. The fastener is advanced along the shaft so as to push a portion of a compression cap against the collet which in turn wedges the collet within the socket of the drive cap and causes the collet to bias against a portion of the screw, thereby locking the position of the screw, the collet, and the drive cap relative to each other.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw system includes a drive cap having a partition wall with a first side and an opposing second side, a passage extending through the partition wall. A sleeve projects from the second side of the partition wall, the sleeve and partition wall bounding a socket. A shaft outwardly projects from the first side of the partition wall. A screw has a threaded portion and a head formed on an end thereof. The head of the screw is at least partially disposed within socket of the drive cap. A collet is at least partially disposed within the socket of the drive cap. At least a portion of a compression cap movably extends through the opening in the partition wall so that the compression cap can selectively move the collet relative to the drive cap.

Abstract: A cross connector that can be used with a spinal implant includes a first rod clamp having a first end and an opposing second end, the first rod clamp having a first clamp arm crossing a second clamp arm so as to form a scissor coupling. The cross connector also includes a second rod clamp and a cross bar assembly extending between the first rod clamp and the second rod clamp.

Abstract: A polyaxial screw system includes a drive cap having a partition wall with a first side and an opposing second side, a passage extending through the partition wall. A sleeve projects from the second side of the partition wall, the sleeve and partition wall bounding a socket. A shaft outwardly projects from the first side of the partition wall. A screw has a threaded portion and a head formed on an end thereof. The head of the screw is at least partially disposed within socket of the drive cap. A collet is at least partially disposed within the socket of the drive cap. At least a portion of a compression cap movably extends through the opening in the partition wall so that the compression cap can selectively move the collet relative to the drive cap.

Abstract: Scratch-free polished diamond is obtained by rubbing a surface of the diamond to be polished against a smooth complementary diamond surface with sufficient pressure and velocity to heat the surface being polished above the spontaneous thermal degradation temperature of the diamond. Such a method can be used to burnish diamond-on-diamond bearings in as little as ten minutes as compared with up to three weeks by prior polishing techniques. Excessive thermal degradation of the diamond is avoided by cooling the surface being polished, preferably by cooling intermittently. The same techniques are usable for other superhard material such as cubic boron nitride.