Abstract: A modular polyaxial pedicle screw and orthopaedic rod implant device including same includes a shaft portion, a cuff, a stem portion, and a rod coupling sub-assembly. The shaft portion is designed to be inserted into the pedicle, has a hemispherical upper portion, and includes a second threading formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the hemispherical protuberance. The stem portion is a threaded post having an enlarged lower socket portion which includes a spherical recess formed at the base thereof, the recess being ideally suited to polyaxially rotate on the hemispherical upper portion of the shaft. The cuff is a cylindrical element designed to seat around the interface of the hemispherical portion of the shaft and the lower socket portion of the stem, initially so that the stem and shaft may polyaxially rotate relative to one another, and subsequently to hold the stem and shaft in final securement.

Abstract: The present invention is an acetabular cup having polyaxial locking screws for anchoring the cup in the desired bone site. The assembly includes an acetabular cup having axially tapered holes, into which holes coupling elements and bone screws may be inserted. The coupling elements each have an axial taper which matches the taper of the corresponding hole, and an interior semi-spherical concave surface in which the semi-spherical head of a corresponding bone screw may be polyaxially mounted. The bone screws are inserted through the holes until the coupling elements fully seat in the respective holes, thereby locking the screws in place and the coupling elements in the holes. In a preferred embodiment, the upper part of the holes further include annularly recessed channels in each of which a snap-ring is disposed. During the insertion of the bone screw, the advancing of the coupling element into the hole causes the snap-ring to expand.

Abstract: The present invention is a selectively expandable bone fixation screw-sleeve device which provides substantially greater holding strength in human bone than other bone screw devices. The sleeve element of this invention includes several embodiments, each having at least one corresponding screw element for selectively expanding a portion of the sleeve once it has been inserted into the bone. More specifically, in several embodiments, the sleeve includes a series of vertical slots in the end, or ends, of the cylindrical body of the sleeve. The slots define, therebetween, sections which are contiguous with the remainder of the cylindrical body, and which may rotate radially outward. In these embodiments, the sections are designed having a varying thickness, for example a single or double wedge profile, such that the insertion of the screw element into the sleeve deforms the shape of the sleeve by causing the sections to flair outward.

Abstract: A variable length cross-link device for use with orthopaedic dual rod apparatuses includes a pair of elongate elements, each having a first end which mates with a rod or pedicle screw. The first element has a second end which is narrow and extending. The second element has a second end which is wide and extending, and includes a through hole. The invention further includes a post having an upper threaded portion mounted through the hole in the second element, and a passageway in the lower portion for receiving the second end of the first element. A nut is provided onto the post. Prior to tightening of the nut, the first element is slidable relative to the post and the second element, and the post element has rotational freedom within the through hole such that the first and second elements may be angulated relative to one another. Once the nut is tightened, the first and second elements are compressibly engaged, thereby crush locking the elements together.

Abstract: A compression locking variable length cross-link device having modular components, including rod and/or pedicle screw coupling elements each having a hole which may be disposed co-linearly with respect to other such holes in opposing elements such that a threaded hinge-post may be inserted therein. A nut is utilized to compress the elements together to rigidly secure the elements once they have been properly positioned relative to one another. In an additional set of embodiments, a linkage member having an elongate hole therein may be used to couple similar elements thereto in a similar flexible hinge-post manner such that the elements may be coupled to the linkage member instead of to the opposing elements directly.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a curvate head, a locking collar disposed therearound, and a receiving member having a linearly tapered tapered socket in which the screw and the collar are nested. The locking collar is slotted and tapered, and has a semi-spherical interior volume into which the screw head is initially polyaxially held. The receiving member has a transverse channel formed in it for receiving a rod, and an axial bore having a linearly tapered chamber in the bottom portion thereof. The collar is inserted down the bore from the top to seat in the chamber, and the screw is subsequently inserted up through the bottom of the bore and into the collar. The linear taper of the chamber provides a radially inward force on the locking collar when the collar is forced downward therein. This radially inward force causes the locking collar to crush lock against the head of the screw, therein locking the two at the given angulation.

Abstract: A hook and rod apparatus for implantation and fixation to the centerline of the spine, wherein the rod provides for immobilization of the spine via its inherent rigidity. The hook elements are designed to be mounted at the arched portion of the lamina. In a first plow shaped variation, the blade portion of the hook is an arched surface which seats under the arched surface of the lamina. In a second claw shaped variation, the blade portion includes a bifurcated conformation having a pair of offset flat extending members which are offset so as to seat under the angled portions of the lamina which are directly laterally disposed relative to the arched center of the lamina. The rod coupling features of the hooks may further be polyaxial by virtue of separate coupling elements which may be mounted to the blade portion, for example on a semi-spherical head portion thereof.

Abstract: A hook and rod apparatus for implantation and fixation to the centerline of the spine, wherein the rod provides for immobilization of the spine via its inherent rigidity. The hook elements are designed to be mounted at the arched portion of the lamina. In a first plow shaped variation, the blade portion of the hook is an arched surface which seats under the arched surface of the lamina. In a second claw shaped variation, the blade portion includes a bifurcated conformation having a pair of offset flat extending members which are offset so as to seat under the angled portions of the lamina which are directly laterally disposed relative to the arched center of the lamina. The rod coupling features of the hooks may further be polyaxial by virtue of separate coupling elements which may be mounted to the blade portion, for example on a semi-spherical head portion thereof.

Abstract: A bidirectional rod locking mechanism for use with rod coupling elements of orthopaedic rod apparatus includes a rod coupling element having a hook-shaped rod receiving end and a threaded axial bore. The axial bore is disposed so close to the hook-shaped portion that the medial portion of the hole protrudes through the inner surface of the hook portion. A contoured threaded shaft is advanced into the bore such that the contoured medial portion thereof aligns with the inner surface of the hook to permit the receipt therein of a rod. The threadable translation of the shaft in the appropriate direction causes a misalignment of the contoured medial portion in a manner which prevents the rod from being removed from the hook-shaped receiving locus.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a curvate head, a locking collar disposed therearound, and a receiving member having a linearly tapered tapered socket in which the screw and the collar are nested. The locking collar is slotted and tapered, and has a semi-spherical interior volume into which the screw head is initially polyaxially held. The receiving member has a transverse channel formed in it for receiving a rod, and an axial bore having a linearly tapered chamber in the bottom portion thereof. The collar is inserted down the bore from the top to seat in the chamber, and the screw is subsequently inserted up through the bottom of the bore and into the collar. The linear taper of the chamber provides a radially inward force on the locking collar when the collar is forced downward therein. This radially inward force causes the locking collar to crush lock against the head of the screw, therein locking the two at the given angulation.

Abstract: A unitary locking cap mechanism, which is used with pedicle screws and other orthopaedic implant devices which couple bones to rods, includes rim and post portions which are rotationally freely coupled to one another to permit independent motion relative to one another. The rim element has a cylindrical body with an open end and a closed end; the closed end alternatively having a concentric hole defined by an inwardly directed flange. In one embodiment, the flange includes a series of slots, dividing into a plurality of wedge-shaped pie sections. In another embodiment, the sidewall of the cylindrical portion of the rim includes an annular recess. The post is a cylindrical shaft having surface elements at one end which provide for mutual engagement with the rim. These surface elements may be deflecting arms which seat into the annular recess of the rim, or an annular recess in the shaft into which the wedge-shaped pie sections of the flange portion may be resiliently snapped into.

Abstract: A compression locking variable length cross-link device having a pair of rod hooking elements, each having rod securing and flat coupling ends. The flat coupling ends are slidably coupled to one another for selective locking to one another independent of the relative separation of the rod securing ends. Each hooking element has a curvate end formed from flat material which has been shaped into a hook conformation to cup the lateral outside surface of a corresponding rod. A set screw positioned through a hole in the top of the curved end locks the curvate end to the rod. In a first embodiment, one (a first) rod hooking element has a narrow flat end having a knurled top surface. The corresponding flat end of the other (second) element is wider, has a knurled undersurface, and has a hole therethrough for receiving a post. The post has a transverse passageway through it for slidably receiving the narrow flat portion of the first element, and an upper portion which is threaded.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a curvate head, a bicentric locking shell disposed therearound, and a coupling element having a curvate tapered socket into which both the screw and the shell nest. The bicentric shell is slotted and has a semi-spherical interior volume into which the screw head is initially polyaxially held. The coupling element has an axial bore through which the screw and shell may be inserted, and a curvate bottom having a smaller radius of curvature than the shell, which provides a radially inward force on the locking shell when forced thereinto. This radially inward force causes the shell to crush lock against the head of the screw, therein locking the two at the instant angulation. In an initial disposition, however, the screw and the shell head remain polyaxially free with respect to each other, and to the coupling element. The coupling element also includes a transverse channel in which a rod may be disposed.

Abstract: A hook device for use with support rod implantation apparatus, having a rod receiving body polyaxially mounted to a blade portion such that the body may be polyaxially manuevered relative to the blade, for easy rod coupling. The blade portion has a semi-spherical head portion which sits above the lamina. The rod receiving portion is a separate coupling element having lower and upper portions. The lower portion is slotted and tapered, and has a semi-spherical interior chamber in which the semi-spherical head is initially polyaxially disposed. The upper portion has a pair of upwardly extending members, defining therebetween a channel for receiving the rod. The uppermost parts of the upwardly extending members include an threading for receiving a top locking nut.

Abstract: A lamina hook is provided having a rod receiving body portion of variable length. Selected embodiments include a polyaxial coupling element for angulating the body portion. In each embodiment, the blade portion has a cylindrical recess and the body includes a shaft portion which is slideably mounted therein. The top of the cylindrical recess is slotted, threaded and tapered for receiving thereon a tightening nut; the tightening thereof being used to crush lock the shaft in the recess. In a first embodiment, the upper portion of the body includes a side loading rod receiving channel. The rod is locked within the channel by means of a sleeve and top locking nut. In a second embodiment, the shaft has a semi-spherical head on which a separate coupling element, having a lower, an intermediate, and an upper portion, is mounted. The lower portion has a slotted exterior taper and a semi-spherical interior chamber in which the head is initially polyaxially disposed.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyaxial locking screw plate assembly for immobilization of vertebral bones, via fixation to surfaces thereof. The invention includes a plate, having an upper portion and a lower portion, each of which has a pair of holes having a threaded upper portion and a tapered lower portion. Coupling elements, including slideably joined socket and cap portions, are mounted about the semi-spherical heads of bone screws, which are screwed through the holes in the plate and into the bone. The heads of the screws are polyaxially mounted in the socket portions and as such may be inserted into the bone at a variety of angles. The socket portions of the coupling elements have slots in them which permit crush locking of the heads of the screws once the sockets seat and are forceably driven into the tapered portions of the corresponding holes.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a curvate head and a coupling element. The coupling element has a tapered lower portion including a slotted interior chamber in which the curvate head is initially polyaxially disposed. The coupling element further includes a recess for receiving the rod of the implant apparatus, and an exterior threading disposed on its upper portion which receives a locking nut. A locking ring is disposed about the lower portion of the coupling element, and provides an inward force on the outwardly tapered portion upon downward translation thereof, thereby causing the vertical slots to close, and crush locking the screw head within the interior chamber, thus eliminating the polyaxial nature of the screw-element coupling. In several embodiments a hollow cylindrical rod securing sleeve is provided which fits over the coupling element and locks the rod to the coupling element.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a curvate head and a coupling element. The coupling element has a tapered lower portion including a slotted interior chamber in which the curvate head is initially polyaxially disposed. The coupling element further includes a recess formed in its side for receiving a rod of an implant apparatus, and an exterior threading disposed on its upper portion onto which a locking nut may be downwardly translated. A hollow cylindrical rod securing sleeve fits above the rod receiving recess, having a pair of grooves formed in its lower surface for seating against the rod. A locking collar is disposed below the rod receiving recess, having a pair of grooves in its top surface for receiving thereon the rod. Both the sleeve and the collar are axially translatable along the exterior surface of the coupling element.

Abstract: A hook device for use with support rod implantation apparatus in the spine, having a rod receiving body polyaxially mounted to a blade portion such that the body may be polyaxially maneuvered relative to the placement of the blade, for easy rod coupling. The blade portion of the device has a semi-spherical head portion which sits above the lamina. The rod receiving portion is a separate coupling element having lower, intermediate, and upper portions. The lower portion is slotted and tapered, and has a semi-spherical interior chamber in which the semi-spherical head is polyaxially disposed. The intermediate portion has a side recess for receiving the rod. The top portion is threaded for a top locking nut. A locking ring is disposed about the coupling element, the top of the coupling element being initially positioned above the lower ledge of the side recess such that the rod initially seats against the top surface of the locking ring.

Abstract: A lamina hook device which has a rod receiving body portion of variable length. Selected embodiments include a polyaxial coupling element so that the rod receiving channel thereof may be angulated. In each embodiment, the blade portion has a cylindrical recess and the body includes a shaft portion which is slideably mounted therein. The top of the cylindrical recess is slotted, threaded, and tapered to receive a tightening nut. The tightening crush locks the shaft in the recess. In a first embodiment, the upper portion of the body includes a channel in which a rod is a disposed. The rod is locked within the channel by means of a top locking nut or an optional rod securing sleeve. In a second embodiment, the shaft has a semi-spherical head on which a separate coupling element, having a lower and an upper portion, is mounted. The lower portion has a slotted exterior taper and a semi-spherical interior chamber in which the head is initially polyaxially disposed.