Abstract: 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: 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: A thread-thru polyaxial pedicle screw fastening system. 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 connecting assembly moves in a polyaxial fashion. The U-shaped connecting assembly, for receipt of a spinal connecting rod, has 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 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: A bone plate for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae or ends of a bone having a span for extending across the discontinuity. The span has brackets for attaching to the bone. The brackets have countersunk apertures terminating through which bone screws are placed in the bone. An cam bore is located between the countersunk apertures and a cam with lobe surfaces is positioned in the cam bore. Upon rotation of the cam, the lobe surfaces engage an end of the wedge shoes and move them so that the other end of the wedge shoes move into the countersunk apertures and frictionally engage the heads of the bone screws. The wedge shoe is provided with means to lock the cam in position. The wedge shoe is also provided with means to indicate that the shoe has completely engaged the head of the bone screw in the countersunk aperture.

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: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate driving tool. The system includes a stabilizing rod, a saddle member, a cap member and a set screw with at least one bone screw having a outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of a cavity formed in the saddle, wherein placement of the bone screw is made possible by matching the threads of the set screw to the threads of the bone screw. The head of the bone screw providing proper positioning of the stabilization rod within the patient.

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: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate driving tool. The system includes a stabilizing rod, a saddle member, a cap member and a set screw with at least one bone screw having a outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of a cavity formed in the saddle, wherein placement of the bone screw is made possible by matching the threads of the set screw to the threads of the bone screw. The head of the bone screw providing proper positioning of the stabilization rod within the patient.

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 bone plate kit for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae or ends of a bone includes several bone plates of different sizes and several bone fasteners of the same or different sizes. The fasteners may have the same configuration or several different configurations. The fasteners may be coated with bone growth material. The plates have a span for extending across a discontinuity. The span has brackets for attaching to the bone. The brackets have countersunk apertures terminating through which bone screws are placed in the bone. An eccentric cam bore is located between the countersunk apertures and, upon rotation of an eccentric cam, wedge grip shoes are slid into the countersunk apertures and frictionally engage the spherical heads of the bone screws. To prevent back-out of the bone screws, the eccentric cam is locked into the wedge grip shoes.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a modular shoulder prosthesis. The prosthesis includes an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone. The proximal portion of the rod includes a self-holding taper which is telescoped into one end of a bore in the body element. The mating tapered surfaces of the rod and the body bore form a rotationally movable connection. Whereby the body of the prosthesis may be rotationally positioned after insertion of the rod. A neck element having a shaped protrusion is telescoped into a cavity in the other end of the body bore to prevent rotational movement therebetween. A threaded fastener provides a drawing force to lock all of the components together into a fixed orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic rod assembly for intervertebral stabilization that allows for load sharing across vertebrae by providing predetermined compression, distraction and bending. The dynamic rod is based on a first and second rod having a flexible union. The flexible union includes a retaining element for securing the rods in position and a bearing element interposed between a first and second bearing seat permitting the compression, distraction and bending.

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: 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 linear engaging fastener cooperates 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 bone plate for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae or ends of a bone has a span for extending across the discontinuity. The span has brackets for attaching to the bone. The brackets have countersunk apertures terminating through which bone screws are placed in the bone. An eccentric cam bore is located between the countersunk apertures and, upon rotation of an eccentric cam, wedge grip shoes are slid into the countersunk apertures and frictionally engage the spherical heads of the bone screws. To prevent back-out of the bone screws, the eccentric cam is locked into the wedge grip shoes.

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.