Abstract: Bone anchors and surgical instruments (e.g., bone taps, drivers, etc.) are disclosed herein that include integrated guide tips. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. For example, a surgical instrument can include a guide projection configured for insertion through a cannulation formed in a bone anchor when the surgical instrument is coupled to the bone anchor. The surgical instrument can also include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the guide projection relative to the bone anchor. The guide projection can replace the needle, stylet, and guidewire used in typical insertion procedures. The bone anchor can also include integrated tapping features to eliminate the need for a separate bone tap instrument. Thus, in some embodiments, targeting, tapping, and driving the bone anchor can be performed in a single step.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a carrier assembly that secures a stylet extending therethrough. Translation of the stylet can be made relative to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The surgical instruments can include various carrier assemblies for positioning the distal end of the stylet relative to the distal end of the elongate shaft based on a length of bone anchor to be installed by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A flexible auger design for low-torque transmitting drive shafts, which allows effective tissue material transport through curved, flexible tubes and channels. A hollow auger has a hollow center, so that the helical member hugs the inner wall of the tube and material is transported along the center axis and the inner wall of the tube. The hollow flexible auger allows for transportation of material from an operative location in the patient (material removal) as well as to operative location in the patient (material delivery).

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a stylet extending therethrough relative to a bone anchor assembly coupled to the elongate shaft, and it can be configured to move the stylet proximally in response to distal advancement of a bone anchor assembly into bone. The surgical instruments can include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the stylet.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a carrier assembly that secures a stylet extending therethrough. Translation of the stylet can be made relative to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The surgical instruments can include various carrier assemblies for positioning the distal end of the stylet relative to the distal end of the elongate shaft based on a length of bone anchor to be installed by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a stylet extending therethrough relative to a bone anchor assembly coupled to the elongate shaft, and it can be configured to move the stylet proximally in response to distal advancement of a bone anchor assembly into bone. The surgical instruments can include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the stylet.

Abstract: Bone anchors and surgical instruments (e.g., bone taps, drivers, etc.) are disclosed herein that include integrated guide tips. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. For example, a surgical instrument can include a guide projection configured for insertion through a cannulation formed in a bone anchor when the surgical instrument is coupled to the bone anchor. The surgical instrument can also include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the guide projection relative to the bone anchor. The guide projection can replace the needle, stylet, and guidewire used in typical insertion procedures. The bone anchor can also include integrated tapping features to eliminate the need for a separate bone tap instrument. Thus, in some embodiments, targeting, tapping, and driving the bone anchor can be performed in a single step.

Abstract: Various bone screws configured to be implanted into bone and methods of use are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone screw is provided with an elongate shank and a head with a drive feature configured to couple with a driver tool for being advanced into bone and a threaded shank. The screw can have a distal end or tip that has one or more cutting edges thereon configured to cut bone as the bone screw is inserted into bone.

Abstract: Bone anchors and surgical instruments (e.g., bone taps, drivers, etc.) are disclosed herein that include integrated guide tips. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. For example, a surgical instrument can include a guide projection configured for insertion through a cannulation formed in a bone anchor when the surgical instrument is coupled to the bone anchor. The surgical instrument can also include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the guide projection relative to the bone anchor. The guide projection can replace the needle, stylet, and guidewire used in typical insertion procedures. The bone anchor can also include integrated tapping features to eliminate the need for a separate bone tap instrument. Thus, in some embodiments, targeting, tapping, and driving the bone anchor can be performed in a single step.

Abstract: Various bone screws configured to be implanted into bone and methods of use are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone screw is provided with an elongate shank and a head with a drive feature configured to couple with a driver tool for being advanced into bone and a threaded shank. The screw can have a distal end or tip that has one or more cutting edges thereon configured to cut bone as the bone screw is inserted into bone.

Abstract: Driver instruments and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for applying a fastener to a bone anchor. Various features are disclosed for retaining the fastener to the driver instrument, such as tapered drive tips, as are various features for impacting the driver instrument into the fastener, such as slidable slap-hammer type handles. Driver instruments with interchangeable handles or handle geometries that can be changed without separating the instrument from an attached fastener are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible auger design for low-torque transmitting drive shafts, which allows effective tissue material transport through curved, flexible tubes and channels. A hollow auger has a hollow center, so that the helical member hugs the inner wall of the tube and material is transported along the center axis and the inner wall of the tube. The hollow flexible auger allows for transportation of material from an operative location in the patient (material removal) as well as to operative location in the patient (material delivery).

Abstract: A flexible auger design for low-torque transmitting drive shafts, which allows effective tissue material transport through curved, flexible tubes and channels. A hollow auger has a hollow center, so that the helical member hugs the inner wall of the tube and material is transported along the center axis and the inner wall of the tube. The hollow flexible auger allows for transportation of material from an operative location in the patient (material removal) as well as to operative location in the patient (material delivery).

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for implanted bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, an instrument is provided having an anchor drive assembly and a stylet assembly. The anchor drive assembly can have a first handle and an elongate shaft having a distal tip configured to couple to a bone anchor assembly. The stylet assembly can have a second handle and a stylet extending through the elongate shaft. The instrument can have a disengaged position and an engaged position such that rotation of the first handle is effective to drive the bone anchor assembly into bone only when the instrument is in the engaged position, and rotation of the second handle is effective to cause axial translation of the stylet relative to the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A fastener device includes an anchor body that defines a through hole. The anchor body further includes an inner surface that defines a least a portion of the through hole. The fastener includes a head, a threaded shaft that extends out with respect to the head in a distal direction, and a neck between the head and threaded shaft. The head includes an outer surface configured to articulate along the inner surface when the fastener head is inserted in the through hole. At least a portion of the outer surface is convex and defines a portion of a sphere that defines a first diameter. The neck defines a second diameter and the fastener defines a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter in a range between about 2 to 1 and about 3 to 1.

Abstract: A fastener device includes an anchor body that defines a through hole. The anchor body further includes an inner surface that defines a least a portion of the through hole. The fastener includes a head, a threaded shaft that extends out with respect to the head in a distal direction, and a neck between the head and threaded shaft. The head includes an outer surface configured to articulate along the inner surface when the fastener head is inserted in the through hole. At least a portion of the outer surface is convex and defines a portion of a sphere that defines a first diameter. The neck defines a second diameter and the fastener defines a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter in a range between about 2 to 1 and about 3 to 1.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a stylet extending therethrough relative to a bone anchor assembly coupled to the elongate shaft, and it can be configured to move the stylet proximally in response to distal advancement of a bone anchor assembly into bone. The surgical instruments can include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the stylet.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a carrier assembly that secures a stylet extending therethrough. Translation of the stylet can be made relative to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The surgical instruments can include various carrier assemblies for positioning the distal end of the stylet relative to the distal end of the elongate shaft based on a length of bone anchor to be installed by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a stylet extending therethrough relative to a bone anchor assembly coupled to the elongate shaft, and it can be configured to move the stylet proximally in response to distal advancement of a bone anchor assembly into bone. The surgical instruments can include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the stylet.

Abstract: Driver instruments and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for applying a fastener to a bone anchor. Various features are disclosed for retaining the fastener to the driver instrument, such as tapered drive tips, as are various features for impacting the driver instrument into the fastener, such as slidable slap-hammer type handles. Driver instruments with interchangeable handles or handle geometries that can be changed without separating the instrument from an attached fastener are also disclosed.