Abstract: Systems for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive surgical procedures include one or more extenders removably engaged to one or more anchors engaged to a bony segment. The anchor extenders provide a reference to the respective anchor locations within the patient even when the anchor is obstructed by skin and/or tissue of the patient. An inserter can be movably mounted to the one or more anchor extenders, or an inserter can be employed without mounting to the one or more anchor extenders. In either form, the inserter is operable to position a stabilization element relative to the anchors for engagement to the anchors to stabilize the bony segment to which the anchors are engaged. At least one of the one or more anchor extenders includes a reduction assembly that is operable to move one or more portions of the bony segment while maintaining the minimally invasive character of the procedure.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing bony structures comprises attaching a bone anchor with a first extender extending therefrom and having a receiving portion to a first vertebra. A second bone anchor is then attached to a second extender extending therefrom and having a receiving portion to a second vertebra. A connecting element is manipulated into a desired position relative to the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor and into a pathway defined in the second extender. A securing member is delivered through a passage in the first extender. The connecting element is secured in the receiving portion of the first bone anchor with the securing member. The second extender is manipulated so that it contacts the connecting element. The second vertebra is moved toward the connecting element while the second extender is contacting the connecting element until the connecting element is seated in the receiving portion of the second bone anchor.

Abstract: A surgical needle assembly for penetrating soft and hard tissues of a patient includes a handle assembly removably coupled to the needle assembly. The needle assembly is electrically coupled to an electrical signal source. The surgical tool includes an electrically conductive portion in communication with an un-insulated distal end of the needle assembly, and an insulated portion extending from the distal end to the handle assembly.

Abstract: A method of securing vertebrae includes inserting a first pedicle screw into a first pedicle of a first vertebra. The first pedicle screw includes a first channel running perpendicular to a first central axis of the first pedicle screw. The first pedicle screw has a first engagement structure. The method further includes inserting a second pedicle screw into a second pedicle of a second vertebra. The second pedicle screw includes a second channel running perpendicular to a second central axis of the second pedicle screw. The second pedicle screw has a second engagement structure. The method also includes inserting a guidewire through the first and second channels, threading a tether attached to an end of the guidewire through the first and second channels, securing the tether to the first pedicle screw, applying tension to the tether, and securing the tether to the second pedicle screw.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an anchor engageable to a vertebra and an extender removably mounted to the anchor. The extender includes an insulating member extending at least partially thereabout to electrically insulate the extender and prevent shunting of electrical signals delivered through the extender to the anchor to structures adjacent the extender.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive procedures include instruments that guide the connecting element from a location remote from one or more anchors to a location proximate to the one or more anchors. The instruments include extensions mountable to anchors, and inserter instruments mountable to the connecting element for positioning the connecting element adjacent the anchors in a minimally invasive procedure. The inserter instruments need not be mounted to the anchors or to the anchor extensions, and are operable independently thereof to position the connecting element into the patient along a minimally invasive insertion path from a location remote from the anchor extensions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchor assemblies engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connecting element engageable to the first and second anchor assemblies. The connecting element includes opposite first and second anchor engaging end portions and a length along a longitudinal axis between the first and second anchor engaging end portions sized for positioning between and engaging each of the first and second anchor assemblies when the first and second anchor assemblies are engaged to the respective vertebrae. The connecting element further includes a support portion between the first and second anchor engaging end portions. The support portion includes first and second support members spaced from one another on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, and a stabilizing member extending between the support members in a transverse orientation to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for determining the spacing between locations in an animal subject are employed to size a connecting element to secure along a bony segment in the animal subject. The instruments and methods include a measuring instrument mountable to proximal ends of extensions extending from anchors engaged to the bony segment. The measuring instrument is configured to provide an indication of the spacing between the anchors even if the extensions are in non-parallel relation to one another.

Abstract: There are provided systems (40) and methods for positioning a connecting member (100) adjacent the spinal column that include one or more anchor assemblies (45) having an anchor (120) engageable to bony structure and an extended receiver (50) having a guide portion (54) and an implantation portion (52). A connecting member (100) is movable along the guide portion (54) from a location outside the patient to the implantation portion (52) in the patient, where the connecting member (100) is secured to the anchor assembly (45) with an engaging member (90). The guide portion (54) is formed as a single unit with but separable from the implantation portion (52) to provide a modified low-profile anchor assembly (45) after implantation of the connecting member (100).

Abstract: Systems for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive surgical procedures include one or more extenders removably engaged to one or more anchors engaged to a bony segment. The anchor extenders provide a reference to the respective anchor locations within the patient even when the anchor is obstructed by skin and/or tissue of the patient. An inserter can be movably mounted to the one or more anchor extenders, or an inserter can be employed without mounting to the one or more anchor extenders. In either form, the inserter is operable to position a stabilization element relative to the anchors for engagement to the anchors to stabilize the bony segment to which the anchors are engaged. At least one of the one or more anchor extenders includes a reduction assembly that is operable to move one or more portions of the bony segment while maintaining the minimally invasive character of the procedure.

Abstract: Systems for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive surgical procedures include one or more extenders removably engaged to one or more anchors engaged to a bony segment. The anchor extenders provide a reference to the respective anchor locations within the patient even when the anchor is obstructed by skin and/or tissue of the patient. An inserter can be movably mounted to the one or more anchor extenders, or an inserter can be employed without mounting to the one or more anchor extenders. In either form, the inserter is operable to position a stabilization element relative to the anchors for engagement to the anchors to stabilize the bony segment to which the anchors are engaged. At least one of the one or more anchor extenders includes a reduction assembly that is operable to move one or more portions of the bony segment while maintaining the minimally invasive character of the procedure.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for positioning a connecting member adjacent the spinal column that include one or more anchor assemblies having an anchor engageable to bony structure and an extended receiver having a guide portion and an implantation portion. A connecting member is movable along the guide portion from a location outside the patient to the implantation portion in the patient, where the connecting member is secured to the anchor assembly with an engaging member. The guide portion is formed as a single unit with but separable from the implantation portion to provide a modified low-profile anchor assembly after implantation of the connecting member.

Abstract: A surgical needle assembly for penetrating soft and hard tissues of a patient includes a handle assembly removably coupled to the needle assembly. The needle assembly is electrically coupled to an electrical signal source. The surgical tool includes an electrically conductive portion in communication with an un-insulated distal end of the needle assembly, and an insulated portion extending from the distal end to the handle assembly.

Abstract: A surgical needle assembly for penetrating soft and hard tissues of a patient includes a handle assembly removably coupled to the needle assembly. The needle assembly is electrically coupled to an electrical signal source. The surgical tool includes an electrically conductive portion in communication with an un-insulated distal end of the needle assembly, and an insulated portion extending from the distal end to the handle assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive procedures include instruments that guide the connecting element from a location remote from one or more anchors to a location proximate to the one or more anchors. The instruments include extensions mountable to anchors, and inserter instruments mountable to the connecting element for positioning the connecting element adjacent the anchors in a minimally invasive procedure. The inserter instruments need not be mounted to the anchors or to the anchor extensions, and are operable independently thereof to position the connecting element into the patient along a minimally invasive insertion path from a location remote from the anchor extensions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a break-off device including a proximal portion removably attached to a distal portion by a region of reduced strength to allow selective removal of the proximal portion from the distal portion. The surgical instrument includes an inner drive shaft extending generally along a longitudinal axis and having a distal end portion engaged with the proximal portion of the break-off device, and an outer retention sleeve positioned about the drive shaft and including a distal receiver portion engaged about the proximal portion of the break-off device. A force applied to the proximal portion of the break-off device by the drive shaft causes the break-off device to fracture at the region of reduced strength to separate the proximal portion from the distal portion, with the proximal portion maintained in engagement with the surgical instrument by the retention sleeve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive procedures include instruments that guide the connecting element from a location remote from one or more anchors to a location proximate to the one or more anchors. The instruments include extensions mountable to anchors, and inserter instruments mountable to the connecting element for positioning the connecting element adjacent the anchors in a minimally invasive procedure. The inserter instruments need not be mounted to the anchors or to the anchor extensions, and are operable independently thereof to position the connecting element into the patient along a minimally invasive insertion path from a location remote from the anchor extensions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for guiding a surgical implant to a bone anchor during surgery. The apparatus includes a bone anchor extender releasably attachable to the bone anchor wherein the bone anchor extender clips onto a head portion of the bone anchor to assist in guiding the surgical implant to the bone anchor.

Abstract: Systems for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive surgical procedures include one or more extenders removably engaged to one or more anchors engaged to a bony segment. The anchor extenders provide a reference to the respective anchor locations within the patient even when the anchor is obstructed by skin and/or tissue of the patient. An inserter can be movably mounted to the one or more anchor extenders, or an inserter can be employed without mounting to the one or more anchor extenders. In either form, the inserter is operable to position a stabilization element relative to the anchors for engagement to the anchors to stabilize the bony segment to which the anchors are engaged. At least one of the one or more anchor extenders includes a reduction assembly that is operable to move one or more portions of the bony segment while maintaining the minimally invasive character of the procedure.

Abstract: Devices, instruments, systems and techniques for guiding an implant to a location adjacent a bone anchor include a guide member with a connecting portion and a guiding portion. The connecting portion is adjacent the bone anchor, and the guiding portion extends proximally from the connecting portion and is adapted guide an implant therealong toward the bone anchor. The guiding portion is flexible to facilitate manipulation and implant placement in the patient's body.