Abstract: A lateral connector assembly for connecting a bone engaging fastener to an elongated member, such as a spinal rod includes a lateral connector having an elongated opening for receiving a portion of the bone engaging fastener therethrough. The lateral connector includes a plate portion and an integral yoke portion, which yoke portion is attached to the elongated member by way of a clamp. The lateral connector assembly can include variable angle means between the clamp and the yoke portion of the lateral connector that permits rotation of the lateral connector about an axis projecting outward from the spinal rod. The plate portion and the yoke portion of the lateral connector are oriented at non-perpendicular angles, preferably an angle greater than 100 degrees.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a spinal fixation assembly includes an elongated member, such as a spinal rod, configured for placement adjacent the spine and a bone engaging fastener, such as a bone screw having a lower portion configured for engaging a vertebra and a head that is at least partially spherical. The assembly further includes a receiver member defining a bore therethrough from a top end to a bottom end, a recess for receiving the head of the bone screwing fastener therein, and a lower opening at said bottom end of the receiver member through which the bone screw extends. The recess is configured to at permit pivoting of the bone screw within the receiver member until the head is fixed within the recess. The receiver member also includes a channel communicating with the bore and having an upper opening at the top end of the receiver member for insertion of the spinal rod into the channel.

Abstract: The treatment and correction of spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, is accomplished without the need for fusion of the intervertebral disc space. A surgical technique is provided in which opening and closing osteotomies are created in the affected vertebrae. Correction devices are provided which hold the osteotomies in either their closed or open orientations. The correction devices include staples holding the vertebral body on opposite sides of the body to retain the osteotomies in their desired orientation. In the opening osteotomies, the correction devices include a wedge member that is disposed within the opened wedge osteotomy and in contact with the vertebral body. The correction devices also include connection members which can be used to engage the devices to an elongated member spanning the spine, such as a spinal rod. Once bone union has occurred in the instrumented vertebrae, the spinal rod can be disconnected from the correction devices and removed from the patient.

Abstract: One embodiment of a spinal fixation system including a pair of longitudinal members 11, 12 positionable adjacent the spine, means for engaging longitudinal members to the spine 13, 14, a pair of wedge members 241 each having a bearing surface 242 configured to bear on a longitudinal member 11, 12, and a connector 200 configured to span a distance between the longitudinal members 11, 12. The connector 200 includes a pair of engaging members 205, 212 each having a fixation portion 207, 214 and a connecting portion 209, 216, and a bridge members 202 attachable to the connecting portions 209, 216. The engaging members 205, 212 each define a thru-hole 225 for receiving one of the wedge members 241.

Abstract: A device for supporting weak bony structures comprises an elongated tubular body having first and second ends configured for contacting adjacent bony structures. A tubular body is formed by a plurality of intersecting elongate bars with a first group of bars having their longitudinal axes arranged perpendicular to the axis of the tubular body, and a second group of bars having their axes arranged at non-perpendicular angles relative to the body axis. The tubular body also includes a plurality of joints formed by the intersection of two perpendicular bars and four angled bars. The ends of the tubular body are defined only by the intersection of angled bars. The ends include a plurality of substantially flat end surfaces that have a surface area greater than the combined cross-sectional areas of the intersecting angled bars forming the joints at the end of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the end surfaces have an undercut between the surfaces and the intersecting angled bars.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly is provided that includes a bone engaging fastener and an elongated member, such as a spinal rod. The fixation assembly is a multi-axial assembly that permits fixation of the bone engaging fastener to the spinal rod at any of a continuous range of angles relative to the rod in three-dimensional space. The fixation assembly includes a receiver member having a bore therethrough, the walls of which are tapered near the bottom, and a channel communicating with the bore and having an upper opening at the top of the receiver member for insertion of a spinal rod. Also included are an outer wedge member and an inner wedge member, both of which have generally the shape of a washer and a bore therethrough. In each wedge member, the respective bore is not parallel to the central axis of the respective wedge member. Additionally, the outside surfaces of the wedge members may be tapered, and the respective bores may be tapered, so as to self-lock when seated and tightened.

Abstract: A multi-axial bone engaging fastener assembly includes a bone screw having a partially spherical head. The bone screw head is truncated at an upper surface in which a tool receiving recess is defined. The assembly includes a receiver member including a central bore that defines a tapered recess to receive the head of the bone screw. The bore of the receiver member also defines a channel communicating with the recess and configured to receive a spinal rod therein. A portion of the channel is threaded to receive a set screw above the rod. The assembly also includes a crown member disposed between the rod and the head of the bone screw. As the set screw is tightened into the receiver member, the set screw compresses the rod against the crown member, which presses the head of the bone screw into the tapered recess. In one embodiment, the head of the bone screw includes a flared edge that penetrates at least the crown member as the assembly is tightened.

Abstract: A multi-axial bone screw assembly includes a bone screw having a partially spherical head. The bone screw head is truncated at an upper surface in which a tool receiving recess is defined. The assembly includes a receiver member including a central bore that defines a tapered recess to receive a contracting collet carrying the head of the bone screw. The bore of the receiver member also defines a channel communicating with the recess and configured to receive a spinal rod therein. A portion of the channel is threaded to receive a set screw above the rod. The assembly also includes a contracting collet disposed between the rod and the head of the bone screw. The collet defines a partially spherical recess to receive the head of the bone screw, and includes deflectable fingers that substantially surround the screw head.

Abstract: A multi-axial bone screw assembly includes a bone screw having a partially spherical head. The bone screw head is truncated at an upper surface in which a tool receiving recess is defined. The assembly includes a receiver member including a central bore that defines a tapered recess to receive the head of the bone screw. The bore of the receiver member also defines a channel communicating with the recess and configured to receive a spinal rod therein. A portion of the channel is threaded to receive a set screw above the rod. The assembly also includes a crown member disposed between the rod and the head of the bone screw. As the set screw is tightened into the receiver member, the set screw compresses the rod against the crown member, which presses the head of the bone screw into the tapered recess. In one embodiment, the head of the bone screw includes a flared edge that penetrates at least the crown member as the assembly is tightened.

Abstract: A reduction system and method is disclosed for reducing a displaced vertebra between adjacent vertebrae. The system can include an anchor 60 placed in the displaced vertebra 70b, a cable 11 attached to the anchor 60 and a clamping member 50 which can selectively engage or disengage the cable 11 to maintain its position. The clamping member can be seated in a rod connector 58 attached to a rod 80 running along the longitudinal axis of the spinal column. A tensioning force can be applied to the cable 11 to pull vertebra 70b toward the rod 80. Once the vertebra 70b is pulled into the desired position, the anchor can be secured to the rod to maintain the position of the vertebra and the reduction apparatus is removed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a spinal fixation assembly includes an elongated member, such as a spinal rod, configured for placement adjacent the spine and a bone engaging fastener, such as a bone screw having a lower portion configured for engaging a vertebra and a head that is at least partially spherical. The assembly further includes a receiver member defining a bore therethrough from a top end to a bottom end, a recess for receiving the head of the bone screwing fastener therein, and a lower opening at said bottom end of the receiver member through which the bone screw extends. The recess is configured to at permit pivoting of the bone screw within the receiver member until the head is fixed within the recess. The receiver member also includes a channel communicating with the bore and having an upper opening at the top end of the receiver member for insertion of the spinal rod into the channel.

Abstract: A positionable clip is provided that is engageable on a spinal rod to capture a rod-borne component in a variable position on the rod. In one embodiment, the positionable clip includes a pair of clamping members, each including a pair of opposed arms configured for engaging the rod therebetween. A biasing hinge biases the arms together to grip the rod with sufficient force to maintain the position of the clip on the rod during manipulation of the rod. A bar connects the two clamping members to define a receiving space to receive a component that is disposed on the spinal rod. In one aspect, the bar includes a pressure surface such that a force applied to the pressure surface will cause the arms of the clamping members to displace apart to disengage from the spinal rod. The clip is configured so that this force can be applied by the component captured by the positional clip as the component is itself tightened onto the spinal rod.

Abstract: A new top-loading transverse connector of the present invention for bridging between longitudinal members of a spinal fixation system implant. The transverse connector is loaded and clamped to the longitudinal member from the top permitting easy access and adjustment and may clamp at the same location along the rod as a vertebral fixation element. The transverse connector comprises an elongate body and an engagement portion on each opposing end of the elongate body. The engagement portion includes downward legs each with a surface to engage the longitudinal member. The downward legs are displaced from each other to define a space therebetween. The engagement portion includes an upper surface defining an opening therethrough. The opening intersects the space defined between the downward legs. Together, the space and opening are configured to receive the clamp assembly carried on the longitudinal member. Another object of the invention, is to provide an improved system including the transverse connector.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention a spinal fixation system includes an elongated spinal element (11) configured to extend adjacent the spine, and a plurality of fixation elements (15) each engagable to the spine and to the elongated spinal element (11). The embodiment further includes an extension member (28) having a head portion (30) defining a variable angle surface and an elongated portion (29) extending from the head portion, and a clamping member (31) for clamping the extension member (28) to the elongated spinal element (11). The clamping member (31) defines a mating surface configured for mating engagement with the variable angle surface of the extension member (28) to permit orientation of the elongated portion (29) of the extension member (28) at a plurality of angles relative to the elongated spinal element (11).

Abstract: An iliac screw includes a smooth distal shank (35), a threaded proximal shank (37) and a proximal head portion (38). The smooth distal shank (35) is configured to penetrate the cancellous bone of the iliac wings, while the threaded shank (37) carries bone threads configured for engagement with the cortical or the cancellous bone. The head portion (38) is configured for engagement with an elongated fixation member, such as a spinal rod.

Abstract: An attachment plate for use with a spinal rod system converts a normally side-tightening eyebolt to a top-tightenable arrangement for engaging spinal fixation elements to the spinal rod. The plate is configured for use with spinal fixation elements having a posteriorly projecting central post, one lateral surface of the post contacting the spinal rod when the rod extends through an aperture of the eyebolt. The attachment plate is generally L-shaped with a slot in one portion for receiving the posteriorly projecting threaded post of the eyebolt. The plate includes a flange portion having a surface configured to engage the lateral surface of the fixation element post opposite the spinal rod. The attachment plate includes a camming segment to provide a clamping force component directed toward the flange portion of the plate to thereby tightly clamp the spinal rod to the fixation element post when a nut is threaded onto the eyebolt threaded post.

Abstract: A transverse fixator assembly for spanning between a number of longitudinal members situated adjacent a patient's vertebrae and methods for fixation of the spine which allow variation of the distance between two or more vertebrae. The assembly includes a number of connectors configured to span the distance between and engage the longitudinal members. The connectors define a thru-hole for engaging a bone bolt which is engaged to a vertebra plus a number of spikes projecting from the connector. A locking mechanism is configured to prevent the bolt from rotating relative to the connector when the nut is being tightened. One or more of the connectors may be a dynamic connector which is slidably engaged to the longitudinal members to vary the distance between the vertebrae for compression or distraction.

Abstract: An attachment plate for use with a spinal rod system converts a normally side-tightening eyebolt to a top-tightenable arrangement for engaging spinal fixation elements to the spinal rod. The plate is configured for use with spinal fixation elements having a posteriorly projecting central post, one lateral surface of the post contacting the spinal rod when the rod extends through an aperture of the eyebolt. The attachment plate is generally L-shaped with a slot in one portion for receiving the posteriorly projecting threaded post of the eyebolt. The plate includes a flange portion having a surface configured to engage the lateral surface of the fixation element post opposite the spinal rod. The attachment plate includes a camming segment to provide a clamping force component directed toward the flange portion of the plate to thereby tightly clamp the spinal rod to the fixation element post when a nut is threaded onto the eyebolt threaded post.

Abstract: A clamp is provided for clamping a spinal rod to a vertebral fixation element which permits access directly from the top of the instrumentation site. The clamp includes a body defining a channel configured to receive the spinal rod and a pair of conical sleeves for restrainably securing the spinal rod to the clamp by forcibly inserting the sleeves between the spinal rod and the channel. The clamp further includes a projection extending from the body, terminating in a T-bar, and a washer slidably disposed on the projection between the T-bar and channel. As the conical sleeves are forcibly inserted into the channel, the sleeves bear upon the the washer and displace the washer in the direction of the T-bar, thereby clamping the vertebral fixation element between the T-bar and washer. The dual function of the conical sleeves thereby clamps the spinal rod to a vertebral fixation element.