Abstract: A pedicle screw is pre-connected to a longitudinal member by an articulation joint. The articulation range is through an angle extending at least from a 90° angle between the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw and the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member to an angle sufficiently near a coaxial orientation between those longitudinal axes to permit the first pedicle screw to be screwed into a pedicle of a first vertebra with the longitudinal member attached to the first pedicle screw. A lock fixes the longitudinal member to the first pedicle screw in a selected orientation. A second pedicle screw has an anchor joint with a lock for receiving and being fixed to the longitudinal member after the longitudinal member is rotated into engagement with the anchor joint. The pre-connection with sufficient articulation eliminates the need to connect the longitudinal member to one of the pedicle screws through an incision and assures proper alignment of any bend placed in the longitudinal member.

Abstract: An insertion tool for a C-shaped bone spinal wedge shaped intervertebral implant comprises an outer shank with a hollow core in which is placed a shaft with a threaded stud which passes through a bore in the shank at an implant insertion end of the shank. A flat extension member defines a plane and extends from the shank overlying the stud, the stud for receiving a threaded bore of the spinal implant. The shaft has a knob distal the stud for rotatably attaching the stud to the implant. The extension member abuts the implant at mating flat surfaces which are spaced by a medial recess formed by a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. A cap slides over the shank at an end opposite the extension member to capture the shaft in the shank core. A guide rod is attached to a collar on the shank normal to the plane of the extension member to assist the surgeon in orienting the implant to the disc space orientation during insertion of the implant.

Abstract: An insertion tool for a C-shaped bone spinal wedge shaped intervertebral implant comprises an outer shank with a hollow core in which is placed a shaft with a threaded stud which passes through a bore in the shank at an implant insertion end of the shank. A flat extension member defines a plane and extends from the shank overlying the stud, the stud for receiving a threaded bore of the spinal implant. The shaft has a knob distal the stud for rotatably attaching the stud to the implant. The extension member abuts the implant at mating flat surfaces which are spaced by a medial recess formed by a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. A cap slides over the shank at an end opposite the extension member to capture the shaft in the shank core. A guide rod is attached to a collar on the shank normal to the plane of the extension member to assist the surgeon in orienting the implant to the disc space orientation during insertion of the implant.