Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a capture portion and an anchor portion opposite the capture portion, and a receiver assembly in a pre-assembled configuration that includes a receiver, a retainer, and a pressure insert. The receiver has a central bore configured to receive the capture portion through a bottom opening, with a lower portion of the central bore including a narrower engagement portion adjacent the bottom opening and a wider expansion portion above the narrower engagement portion. The pre-assembled retainer is configured to widen within the wider expansion portion to receive the capture portion of the bone anchor during its uploading through the bottom opening, then to close around and secure the capture portion while providing for pivotal motion of the bone anchor relative to the receiver.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a capture portion and an anchor portion opposite the capture portion, and a receiver assembly in a pre-assembled configuration that includes a receiver, a retainer, and a pressure insert. The receiver has a central bore configured to receive the capture portion through a bottom opening, with a lower portion of the central bore including a narrower engagement portion adjacent the bottom opening and a wider expansion portion above the narrower engagement portion. The pre-assembled retainer is configured to widen within the wider expansion portion to receive the capture portion of the bone anchor during its uploading through the bottom opening, then to close around and secure the capture portion while providing for pivotal motion of the bone anchor relative to the receiver.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a capture portion and an anchor portion opposite the capture portion, and a receiver assembly in a pre-assembled configuration that includes a receiver, a retainer, and a pressure insert. The receiver has an internal cavity for receiving the capture portion through a bottom opening and an axial bore with inwardly facing interference wedging surfaces. The pre-assembled retainer is configured to separate to receive the capture portion of the bone anchor within the internal cavity during its uploading through the bottom opening, after which the pre-assembled insert is downwardly deployable with tooling, prior to the installation of an elongate rod and closure, until an outer surface of the insert comes into forced interference wedging contact with the interference wedging surfaces of the axial bore so as to inhibit the pressure insert from moving back up within the receiver.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral shank head receivable in a one-piece receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A compression insert (some with an independent tool lock, lock and release feature and/or friction fit feature) and a split retaining ring articulatable with respect to both the shank head and the receiver (prior to locking) cooperate with the receiver to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in a receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. The shank upper portion expands a retaining member in the receiver cavity to capture the shank upper portion in the receiver. The retaining member and attached shank are pivotable with respect to the receiver until locked in place with respect to the receiver. A pre-assembled receiver, retaining member and compression insert may be popped-on or snapped-on to the shank upper portion prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral shank head receivable in a one-piece receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A compression insert (some with an independent tool lock, lock and release feature and/or friction fit feature) and a split retaining ring articulatable with respect to both the shank head and the receiver (prior to locking) cooperate with the receiver to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. The receiver can have crimp tabs, but is devoid of spring tabs and collet-like flexible structures. A down-loadable compression insert (some with lock and release feature), a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having super structure for temporary friction fit with an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A friction fit compression insert (some with lock and release feature), a planar split retaining ring and a shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled and the receiver and insert may include aligned tool receiving apertures for lock and release of the polyaxial mechanism.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. The receiver can have crimp tabs, but is devoid of spring tabs and collet-like flexible structures. A down-loadable compression insert (some with lock and release feature), a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled. The receiver and insert include aligned tool receiving apertures for lock and release of the polyaxial mechanism.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert with tool receiving arm extensions, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.

Abstract: A spinal implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having hard, non-elastic sleeves for attachment to the bone anchors, at least one spacer located between the bone anchors, and in some embodiments, an end elastic bumper and cord blocker. A cord is received within the rigid sleeves, the spacer and the bumper, the cord being in fixed or sliding relationship with cooperating sleeves. The sleeves include portions for direct engagement with bone screw inserts and closure tops and may include a channel for receiving a projected portion of a spacer.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. The receiver can have crimp tabs, but is devoid of spring tabs and collet-like flexible structures. A down-loadable compression insert (some with lock and release feature), a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled. The receiver and insert include aligned tool receiving apertures for lock and release of the polyaxial mechanism.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. The receiver can have crimp tabs, but is devoid of spring tabs and collet-like flexible structures. A down-loadable compression insert (some with lock and release feature), a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having super structure for temporary friction fit with an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.

Abstract: Open implant closure structures include a helically wound guide and advancement flange form having splay control surfaces. Multi-start closures and closures with inner set screws have splay control contours for interlocking with cooperating flange forms of bone anchor receivers. Flange form heights, thicknesses and other geometry, such as splay control ramp angle may be varied.

Abstract: Open implant closure structures include a helically wound guide and advancement flange form having pivot-splay accommodating and splay control surfaces with opposing load flanks in initial non-parallel relation.

Abstract: A spinal implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having hard, non-elastic sleeves for attachment to the bone anchors, at least one spacer located between the bone anchors, and in some embodiments, an end elastic bumper and cord blocker. A cord is received within the rigid sleeves, the spacer and the bumper, the cord being in fixed or sliding relationship with cooperating sleeves. The sleeves include portions for direct engagement with bone screw inserts and closure tops and may include a channel for receiving a projected portion of a spacer.

Abstract: A bone anchor assembly comprising a shank, receiver, pressure insert, sleeve and closure. The sleeve having a body constructed of deformable material and including a transfer of non deformable material molded into the body of the sleeve to transfer force around the body. The receiver having interior guides and the insert having guide followers that cooperate to align the insert in the receiver and prevent rotation of the insert in the receiver.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor with a receiver, a shank, a pressure insert, a retainer for holding the shank in the receiver, and a closure. The receiver having at least one vertically aligned guide on a surface of an interior shank and insert receiving chamber. The insert having at least one shoulder that aligns with the guide and both properly positions the insert relative to the receiver during assembly and prevents the insert from axially rotating relative to the receiver.