Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a longitudinal member extendable along the spinal column. A fastener for connecting the longitudinal member to a vertebra includes a first end portion for engaging a vertebra and a second end portion connectable with the longitudinal member. A staple including a plurality of mounting projections for engaging the vertebra has surfaces for defining an opening through which the second end portion of the fastener extends. The staple includes surfaces for engaging the second end portion of the fastener to prevent relative rotation between the fastener and the staple.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a fastener having a first end portion for engaging a vertebra. A connector member interconnects the fastener and a longitudinal member positionable along the spinal column. The connector member includes a clamp for clamping the longitudinal member to the connector member. The fastener extends through a slot in the connector member to permit adjustment of the distance between the axis of the fastener and the axis of the longitudinal member. The axis of the fastener is spaced from the clamp a distance measured along the axis of the longitudinal member when the connector member interconnects the fastener and the longitudinal member.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending member in position relative to a spinal column includes a top-entry hook assembly having a hook portion which is engageable with a spinal column. A body extending upwardly from the hook portion and has an open ended recess which extends through the body and is open along one side to enable a rod or longitudinal member to be moved into the recess through the open side. An end cap is engageable with the body to close the upper side opening. A clamp member or set screw is disposed at the center of the end cap to clamp the rod in the recess in the body. The end cap and body are interconnectable by different types of connectors including a bayonet connector, a linear cam connector, or a threaded connector.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to retain elements of the spine or pelvis or both in a desired spatial relationship. A plurality of fasteners are connected with a plurality of the elements. A longitudinal member is connected with that fasteners by a plurality of connector members. The longitudinal members and fasteners are movable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the longitudinal member and fasteners to thereby obtain the desired spatial relationship. Clamps are engaged to hold the longitudinal member, fasteners, and connector members against relative movement. To provide for adjustability, oblong openings are formed in the connector members. The fasteners have a plurality of tapered washers to create variable angles between the axis of the fastener and the axis of the oblong opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending member in position relative to a spinal column includes a top-entry hook assembly having a hook portion which is engageable with a spinal column. A body extending upwardly from the hook portion and has an open ended recess which extends through the body and is open along one side to enable a rod or longitudinal member to be moved into the recess through the open side. An end cap is engageable with the body to close the upper side opening. A clamp member or set screw is disposed at the center of the end cap to clamp the rod in the recess in the body. The end cap and body are interconnectable by different types of connectors including a bayonet connector, a linear cam connector, or a threaded connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship in a spinal column includes an elongated one-piece rod which extends along the spinal column. An upper portion of the rod has a diameter which is less than the diameter of a lower portion of the rod. A first plurality of connector assemblies engage the lower portion of the rod and connect the lower portion of the rod to vertebrae. A second plurality of connector assemblies engage the upper portion of the rod and connect the upper portion of the rod to vertebrae which are disposed in the spinal column above the vertebrae to which the lower portion of the rod is connected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to retain elements of the spine or pelvis or both in a desired spatial relationship. A plurality of fasteners are connected with a plurality of the elements. A longitudinal member is connected with the fasteners by a plurality of connector members. The longitudinal member and fasteners are movable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the longitudinal member and fasteners to thereby obtain the desired spatial relationship between the longitudinal member and elements to which the fasteners are connected. Once the longitudinal member and fasteners have been positioned in the desired spatial relationship, clamps are engaged to hold the longitudinal member, fasteners and connector members against relative movement. To provide for the adjustability of the longitudinal member relative to the fasteners, oblong openings are formed in the connector members.

Abstract: A plurality of instruments or members are provided to plastically deform spine plates or rods to a configuration which corresponds to a desired configuration for connection with a spinal column. A pair of flat benders have slots which are engageable with a spine plate to bend and/or twist the spine plate. A pair of tube benders are engageable with a rod to bend the rod. One of the flat benders may be used with one of the tube benders to form a bend in the rod. In addition, the two flat benders may be used together to bend the rod. These instruments make possible two dimensional bending of spine plates and three dimensional bending of spine rods.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a pair of corrective devices for a spinal column. A member is extendable between the corrective devices in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axes of the corrective devices. A first portion of the member is connected with one of the corrective devices and a second portion of the member is connected with the other of the corrective devices. The locations at which the corrective devices are connected with the member may be changed to enable the member to interconnect the corrective devices spaced different distances apart and at different orientations.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a bendable elongate rod with a vertebra. The apparatus comprises a body portion having an opening for receiving the rod. A connector portion is fixed to and extends from the body portion for connecting the body portion with the vertebra. A pair of spaced apart arcuate surfaces are located in the opening in the body portion for engaging the rod at axially spaced locations.

Abstract: A surgically implantable device for maintaining the relative positions of spinal bodies of a spinal column. The device comprises a plate portion for connection with a first spinal body. The plate portion has a first major side surface for facing the first spinal body and a second major side surface. The plate portion has an opening which extends through the first and second major side surfaces for receiving a fastener to connect the plate portion with the first spinal body. A rod portion is fixedly connected to the plate portion and extends therefrom. The rod portion is bendable to conform to a desired spinal curvature. The rod portion has a part for connection with a second spinal body.

Abstract: A dorsally placed transacrally fixed surgical implant is described for correcting and supporting the spinal column with the implant being particularly useful for aligning and stabilizing the lumbosacral junction. Direct sacral fixation is achieved utilizing a contoured metallic base plate that is firmly fixed to the sacrum by means of a plurality of screws, which screws are angularly disposed with respect to one another to maximize retention of the base plate on the sacrum. A pair of spine engagable rods, contoured to the desired spinal column configuration, have one end inserted into sockets on the base plate with the rods being locked against rotation or other movement relative to the base plate.