Abstract: A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.

Abstract: A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.

Abstract: A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.

Abstract: A surgical hand tool is provided having a plumb assembly fixed to a dome housing element. The plumb assembly is fixed to rotate freely in two axes of rotation in at least two rotational planes. A tool attachment coupling such as bushing for receiving a surgical instrument such as a drill or tap is fixed to the dome housing. A handle can be fixed to the device for use and orientation by a surgeon or other user. The hand tool can be used as a protractor for orienting surgical instruments such as pedicle screws in at least two angles on two planes for accurately applying said instruments into the pedicles of a vertebra. Generally, the tool of the present invention can be used to accurately orient an instrument relative to a body in at least two angles in two planes.

Abstract: A ratcheting driver for rotationally driving a piece and having a handle and pivotal pawls engageable with a driven gear and being capable of ratcheting and driving in both rotational directions. A cap is rotatable relative to said handle and it has a web for pivoting the pawls out of engagement with the gear. Through the selective rotation of the cap, the setting of the pawls is established. A spring positions the pawls in driving positions, and the cap has surfaces which disengage the pawls from the gear upon rotation of the cap. A method of arranging the driver is included.

Abstract: An instrument for use in medical surgery, and having a handle and a working tool extending along a common axis. A separable connection is between the handle and the tool, and the connection is of a polygonal shape in an axial view thereof. The connection is tapered for wedging together and has one portion on the handle and another portion on the tool, and there are planar surfaces on both portions but with fewer planar surfaces on the one portion compared to the number of planar surfaces on the other portion.

Abstract: A screwdriver T-handle having an upright stem portion and a top horizontal cross-bar portion, and together they form a letter T shape in both face views thereof. A groove on each of those faces of the handle provides for reception of the user's thumb when the handle is being gripped by the remainder of the user's hand for rotation to apply a threaded fastener, and the cross-bar presents an S shape in top plan view thereof.

Abstract: In an apparatus that includes a head, spindle, and a handle, the handle is rotatably fastened to the head by the spindle. The handle and head mate at an interface. The apparatus further includes a head axial bore offset from the spindle and configured to occupy a portion of the head and a handle axial bore offset from the spindle and configured to occupy a portion of the handle, the handle axial bore being configured to receive a torque limiting insert, wherein in response to the head being at a first rotational conformation relative to the handle, the head axial bore and handle axial bore is disposed in cooperative alignment to allow the torque limiting insert to transect the interface and enter the head axial bore. The head and the handle are rotationally coupled via the torque limiting insert. The head and the handle are rotationally uncoupled in response to a shear force being applied across the interface that exceeds a shear limit for the torque limiting insert.

Abstract: A ratcheting driver configured to rotationally drive an item or work piece is provided. The driver includes a handle and pivotal pawls engageable with a driven gear and capable of ratcheting and driving in both rotational directions. The handle and pawls have mating matched surfaces for full and flush overlying contact therebetween. A cap that is rotatable relative to the handle and that has a web for pivoting the pawls out of engagement with the gear is also provided. In addition, a stop is included. The stop is configured to assure that only a correct direction of rotation of the cap is available when assembling. Also, a method of arranging the driver is provided.

Abstract: A tool bit and collet assembly, and method of assembling, wherein there is a collar for holding the collet in the radially inward position to thereby hold the tool bit. Camming surfaces are between the tool bit and the collet, and between the collet and the collar, for opening the collet upon insertion the tool bit into the collet, and thereby move the collar to the opening position.

Abstract: The method of making a tool for removal of broken screws from a base material, including the material of the bone of a medical patient. One end of the tool has an open bore with interior, left-hand tapered screw threads formed thereon by compressing the tool to form the taper after the threads are formed and presented in a cylindrical shape. The other end of the tool is solid for accommodating a driving tool which rotates the tool in the removal of the broken screw.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver and method of making same wherein there is a handle and there are a ratchet gear and pawls inside the handle. An adjuster is inside the handle and is movable by a tool extending into the handle for positioning the adjuster relative to the gear and thereby eliminating play between the gear and the handle. Ball bearings are interposed between the handle and the gear and the bearings rotatably support the gear and transmit the anti-play forces that act on the gear.

Abstract: A ratcheting driver configured to rotationally drive an item or work piece is provided. The driver includes a handle and pivotal pawls engageable with a driven gear and capable of ratcheting and driving in both rotational directions. The handle and pawls have mating matched surfaces for full and flush overlying contact therebetween. A cap that is rotatable relative to the handle and that has a web for pivoting the pawls out of engagement with the gear is also provided. In addition, a stop is included. The stop is configured to assure that only a correct direction of rotation of the cap is available when assembling. Also, a method of arranging the driver is provided.

Abstract: A hand tool rotatable about an axis and having a handle and a bit in alignment along the axis. A plurality of inserts are available for individual placement between the handle and the bit for controlling torque transmitted by the tool. The insert can provide for limited or unlimited torque, in accord with the construction of the individual insert. The insert is replaceable relative to the tool.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver and method of making same wherein there is a handle and there is a ratchet gear and pawls inside the handle. An adjuster is inside the handle and is movable by a tool extending into the handle for positioning the adjuster relative to the gear and thereby eliminating play between the gear and the handle. Ball bearings are interposed between the handle and the gear and the bearings rotatably support the gear and transmit the anti-play forces that act on the gear.

Abstract: A tool holder for a tool with a recess having detent disposed therein for holding the tool axially, and having a sleeve telescoped over a collet which has flexible fingers and with the sleeve and the fingers having camming surfaces for effecting clamping onto the tool. The axial locations of the recess and the detent and the camming surfaces are such that they are all in an engaged position when the sleeve is in one position along the axis. The sleeve and the collet have chamfers interengagable upon telescopic movement between the sleeve and the collet for flexing the fingers to thereby have the collet slide into the sleeve.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver having a base assembly including a handle and an insert, and having a can rotatable on the base assembly, and there is pawl mechanism which is controlled by the cap. There is an intervening member in the form of a detent to serve as a stop for restricting the axial movement of the cap relative to the base assembly, so the cap cannot be removed from the base assembly until the detent is released. The detent, or other parts of the screwdriver, can serve as a rotation stop for the can which has selective positions for setting the ratcheting position of the screwdriver.

Abstract: An instrument for applying a tie (12) to two items (10, 110), and a method of making same. The instrument is arranged for pulling separated bones or other items together and securing them together by twisting a tie onto them. The instrument can be made of plastic and it need not include any threaded parts. It can have two handles (21, 22) with a tie gripper (24) and a tie guide (26) on respective ones of the handles which can be squeezed together for pulling on a tie to draw separated items together. The handles rotate together, and there can be a crank (27) for effecting the rotation and thereby twist the tie onto the items.