Abstract: A bone plate system having a retainer for resisting back-out of a bone anchor from a throughbore of a bone plate is provided. In one aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer disposed in a bone plate throughbore with a pair of elongate arm portions of the resilient retainer extending along opposite sides of the throughbore. In another aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of elongate interference portions completely exposed in the throughbore and spaced from each other across the throughbore to retain a head of a bone anchor received in the throughbore. In addition, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of opposite end portions disposed within a groove of a throughbore wall such that a bone anchor may be inserted into the throughbore without contacting either of the opposite end portions of the retainer.

Abstract: A bone plate system having a retainer for resisting back-out of a bone anchor from a throughbore of a bone plate is provided. In one aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer disposed in a bone plate throughbore with a pair of elongate arm portions of the resilient retainer extending along opposite sides of the throughbore. In another aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of elongate interference portions completely exposed in the throughbore and spaced from each other across the throughbore to retain a head of a bone anchor received in the throughbore. In addition, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of opposite end portions disposed within a groove of a throughbore wall such that a bone anchor may be inserted into the throughbore without contacting either of the opposite end portions of the retainer.

Abstract: A bone plate system having a retainer for resisting back-out of a bone anchor from a throughbore of a bone plate is provided. In one aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer disposed in a bone plate throughbore with a pair of elongate arm portions of the resilient retainer extending along opposite sides of the throughbore. In another aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of elongate interference portions completely exposed in the throughbore and spaced from each other across the throughbore to retain a head of a bone anchor received in the throughbore. In addition, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of opposite end portions disposed within a groove of a throughbore wall such that a bone anchor may be inserted into the throughbore without contacting either of the opposite end portions of the retainer.

Abstract: A bone plate system having a retainer for resisting back-out of a bone anchor from a throughbore of a bone plate is provided. In one aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer disposed in a bone plate throughbore with a pair of elongate arm portions of the resilient retainer extending along opposite sides of the throughbore. In another aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of elongate interference portions completely exposed in the throughbore and spaced from each other across the throughbore to retain a head of a bone anchor received in the throughbore. In addition, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of opposite end portions disposed within a groove of a throughbore wall such that a bone anchor may be inserted into the throughbore without contacting either of the opposite end portions of the retainer.

Abstract: A bone plate system having a retainer for resisting back-out of a bone anchor from a throughbore of a bone plate is provided. In one aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer disposed in a bone plate throughbore with a pair of elongate arm portions of the resilient retainer extending along opposite sides of the throughbore. In another aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of elongate interference portions completely exposed in the throughbore and spaced from each other across the throughbore to retain a head of a bone anchor received in the throughbore. In addition, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of opposite end portions disposed within a groove of a throughbore wall such that a bone anchor may be inserted into the throughbore without contacting either of the opposite end portions of the retainer.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided that includes a coupling member and a locking device that is operable to fix an elongate member relative to the coupling member. In one form, locking device includes opposing lock arms operable to retain the locking device relative to the coupling member in an initial position prior to the locking device fixing the elongate member relative to the coupling member. In another form, the coupling member and locking device include cooperating structure therebetween in the form of a protrusion and a guide track, the cooperating structure arranged and configured to retain the locking device within an internal space of the coupling member. There is also provided a retainer operable to minimize pivoting of the coupling member relative to an anchor member and to substantially retain an anchor member depressed within an internal space of the coupling member to minimize play therebetween.

Abstract: A bone plate system having a retainer for resisting back-out of a bone anchor from a throughbore of a bone plate is provided. In one aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer disposed in a bone plate throughbore with a pair of elongate arm portions of the resilient retainer extending along opposite sides of the throughbore. In another aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of elongate interference portions completely exposed in the throughbore and spaced from each other across the throughbore to retain a head of a bone anchor received in the throughbore. In addition, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of opposite end portions disposed within a groove of a throughbore wall such that a bone anchor may be inserted into the throughbore without contacting either of the opposite end portions of the retainer.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided that, in one form, includes a coupling member having a cam lock member that is fixed against translation therealong as it is turned with turning of the cam lock member causing an elongate member such as a spinal rod to be pushed downward in the coupling member for fixing the rod therein. In another aspect, the rod is fixed against a low profile insert that seats in a recess formed in the head of an anchor member projecting from the coupling member. The insert has an upper surface against which the rod is fixed and that in one form is flat to provide for line contact against the rod so as to minimize damage thereto. In another form, the cam lock member cams against a clamping member driving it downward in the coupling member for fixing the rod therein.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided that includes a coupling member and a locking device that is operable to fix an elongate member relative to the coupling member. In one form, locking device includes opposing lock arms operable to retain the locking device relative to the coupling member in an initial position prior to the locking device fixing the elongate member relative to the coupling member. In another form, the coupling member and locking device include cooperating structure therebetween in the form of a protrusion and a guide track, the cooperating structure arranged and configured to retain the locking device within an internal space of the coupling member. There is also provided a retainer operable to minimize pivoting of the coupling member relative to an anchor member and to substantially retain an anchor member depressed within an internal space of the coupling member to minimize play therebetween.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided that, in one form, includes a coupling member having a cam lock member that is fixed against translation as it is turned with turning of the cam lock member causing an elongate member such as a spinal rod to be pushed downward in the coupling member for fixing the rod therein. In another aspect, the rod is fixed against a low profile insert that seats in a recess formed in the head of an anchor member projecting from the coupling member. The insert has an upper surface against which the rod is fixed. In one form, the insert upper surface is flat to provide for line contact against the rod so as to minimize damage thereto. In another form, the cam lock member cams against a clamping member driving it downward in the coupling member for fixing the rod therein.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided that, in one form, includes a coupling member having a cam lock member that is fixed against translation therealong as it is turned with turning of the cam lock member causing an elongate member such as a spinal rod to be pushed downward in the coupling member for fixing the rod therein. In another aspect, the rod is fixed against a low profile insert that seats in a recess formed in the head of an anchor member projecting from the coupling member. The insert has an upper surface against which the rod is fixed and that in one form is flat to provide for line contact against the rod so as to minimize damage thereto.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A bone connector system includes first and second connector members, at least one and preferably both, of which carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with at least one slot therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end, and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface when the connectors are brought together. Each of the flanges and grooves may have first and second flanks respectively disposed at relatively small and relatively large acute angles to the longitudinal axis of the system.

Abstract: A bone connector system comprises first and second connector members. At least one, and preferably both, of the connector members carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with intersecting slots therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may be formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface, when the connectors are brought together. Either or both of the connector members may define guidewire lumens.

Abstract: A bone connector system comprises first and second connector members. At least one and preferably both of the connector members carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a sleeve having an outer end with longitudinal slots extending through the outer end, and a plurality of loops of an external screw thread positioned adjacent to the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having a multiple loop, internal screw thread proportioned to engage the external thread when the connectors are brought together. Either or both of said connector members may define guidewire lumens.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A connector for securing surgical cable or wire to an implantable surgical rod or the like. The connector comprises a connector body having an open space for receiving the surgical rod or similar support device. The body carries a lock member for firmly affixing the connector and the rod together in a desired position along the rod. Typically, the lock member is a set screw. The connector also has a retention member carried on the connector in a rotatable manner. The retention member, typically in ring form, defines at least one bore extending there through for receiving the cable or wire, and retaining it in a desired position relative to the rod. Thus, tension can be placed upon broken bones or the like from a desired, controllable direction and with a desired magnitude of tension.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.