Abstract: A pedicle screw fastening that can be made polyaxial, monoaxial, fixed, or provide a predefined monoaxial placement. The fastening system consists of an anchoring bone screw having threads on one end for use in anchoring to the screw to the spine and a spherical connector on the other end operating as a pivot point about which a U-shaped or side loading connecting assembly is used to secure to a connecting rod for use in stabilization of a spine. The connecting assembly, for receipt of a spinal connecting rod, includes a biased retainer ring for maintaining a positive tension between the connecting assembly and the anchored screw. The system allows for an improved manufacturing step wherein the threaded shank of a bone screws can be passed through a lower portion of the connecting assembly allowing a variety of bone screw sizes to be used with a common sized connector.

Abstract: A polyaxial ball and socket joint that can be locked into a fixed position. The fastening system consists of the polyaxial ball and socket joint used in conjunction with a bone screw having threads on one end for use in anchoring to the spine and a spherical connector on the other end operating as a pivot point about which a connecting assembly moves in a polyaxial fashion. A substantially U-shaped connecting assembly has a lower receptacle that operates as a socket for housing an upper retainer ring and a lower split retaining ring. The socket is receptive to the spherical connector which is inserted through the lower split retainer ring causing a momentary displacement thereof which allows for the positioning of the spherical connector between the upper and lower retainer rings.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to spinal fixation assemblies for use in spinal fixation constructs. The final fixation assemblies include fastening arrangements for clamping components of the assemblies at desired positions. The fastening arrangements are moved from pre-finally clamped orientations to finally clamped orientations through the use of linear force. An installation tool can be used to inhibit linear force from being transferred to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a linear fastening system capable of rapid engagement and disengagement. More specifically, the system utilizes a cooperating collet member and a compression ring member which are constructed and arranged to slip easily over a shank member. The fastener system is secured by linearly traversing a compression member in an overlapping fashion over the collet member thereby utilizing ribbed surfaces to compress the collet member to grip the outer surface of the shank member. In this manner, the linear fastener system is capable of providing a precise, secure, and reproducible connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention describes an expandable vertebral implant and the method of use. The longitudinally expandable vertebral implant includes telescoping sections adapted for incremental expansion and ease of securement at any desired increment in situ, and constructed and arranged to engage opposing vertebrae. The corpectomy device is a distractible vertebral body replacement for the thoracic and lumbar spine. The device is cylindrical shaped having an inner and outer sleeve made adjustable by use of locking pads formed integral with the outer sleeve for use in engaging parallel circumferential locking grooves formed along the outer side surface of the inner sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention describes an expandable vertebral implant and the method of use. The longitudinally expandable vertebral implant includes telescoping sections adapted for incremental expansion and ease of securement at any desired increment in situ, and constructed and arranged to engage opposing vertebrae, while simultaneously permitting easy insertion and removal of a similarly expandible top member.

Abstract: A linear locking set screw system capable of rapid linear engagement and disengagement includes a threaded outwardly expandable set screw and an expander member which are constructed and arranged to thread easily into a threaded aperture while in a first release position and can thereafter be securely locked in place and/or provide a secondary clamping force in a second engaged position. In this manner, the linear fastener system is capable of providing a precise, secure, and reproducible connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a linear locking set screw system capable of rapid linear engagement and disengagement. More specifically, the system utilizes a threaded outwardly expandable set screw and an expander member which are constructed and arranged to thread easily into a threaded aperture while in a first release position and can thereafter be securely locked in place and/or provide a secondary clamping force in a second engaged position. In this manner, the linear fastener system is capable of providing a precise, secure, and reproducible connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly.

Abstract: A modular bone implant is connected together using linear compression rather than torque.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis has an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone, an artificial trochanter and a neck for carrying the ball. The intramedullary rod has a proximal end and a distal end telescoped together allowing free relative rotation of the ends. A split sleeve is fitted between the telescoped portions of the rod to form a rigid connection when the ends are separated longitudinally. A jack screw within the intramedullary rod separates the proximal end from the distal end.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a securing nut and locking bolt cooperate with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.

Abstract: A screw for use in spinal and other surgical procedures has a tapered core and fixed pitch threads. The threads have a compound curved inferior surface and constant width crest. The screw may be provided with a helical thread in which at least the lead thread adjacent to the screw tip is ledged and the following threads have sharp apices. A method of making the screw requires two tool bits making two different angular cuts to the inferior surface of the threads.

Abstract: A screw for use in spinal and other surgical procedures has a tapered core and fixed pitch threads. The threads have a compound curved inferior surface and constant width crest. The screw may be provided with a helical thread in which at least the lead thread adjacent to the screw tip is ledged and the following threads have sharp apices. A method of making the screw requires two tool bits making two different angular cuts to the inferior surface of the threads.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis has an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone. The rod has a shaped proximal portion which is telescoped into one end of a bore in the body element. The mating surfaces of the shaped rod and the body bore form a rotationally immovable connection. A neck element is telescoped into the other end of the body bore. The neck and the body have mating planar surfaces visually discernable as being spaced apart. The neck and body have complementary tapered walls. The prosthesis is subjected to compression to eliminate the visual gap and produce a rigid area seal. All the elements are secured together by a compression screw through the neck, body and rod.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis has an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone. The rod has a shaped proximal portion which is telescoped into one end of a bore in the trochanter element. The mating surfaces of the shaped rod and the trochanter bore form a rotationally immovable connection. A neck element is telescoped into the other end of the trochanter bore permitting rotational adjustment. All the elements are locked together by a bolt through the neck and rod.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis having an intramedullary insert. The intramedullary insert has an elongated body with an attached coil spring. The coil spring may be constructed to provide variable flexibility at different locations along the spring. A control rod is inserted through the coil spring and attached thereto further modifying the flexibility of the coil spring. The shape of the control rod may be varied throughout its length producing different flexibility. The selection of a particular coil spring and a particular control rod resulting in particular joint prosthesis.