Abstract: Methods for clamping a tether about a spinal or other anatomical feature. In some implementations, a tether may be extended in a loop around an anatomical feature of a spine. A spinal fixation rod may be coupled with an inner coupling piece of a clamping assembly, such as by way of a slot formed in the inner coupling piece. The inner coupling piece may be nestably coupled within an outer coupling piece of the clamping assembly. A first end of the tether may be passed through a passage of the clamping assembly, the passage being is at least partially defined by an outer surface of the inner coupling piece and an inner surface of the outer coupling piece. The loop may be tightened about the anatomical feature with the tether clamped between the inner coupling piece and the outer coupling piece.

Abstract: Tether tensioning instruments, such as instruments used to tension and/or lock a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the instrument may comprise a handle, a tensioner base coupled with the handle, at least a portion thereof being movably coupled to the handle, and a tether coupling member coupled with the tensioner base and configured to fixedly engage a tether. The instrument may further comprise a tensioner tip movably coupled with the tensioner base, wherein at least a portion of the tensioner base is biased away from the tensioner tip, and wherein the instrument is configured to allow for step-wise movement of the tensioner tip away from the tensioner base to increase tension between the tether and an element of the spinal fixation system.

Abstract: Methods for clamping a tether about a spinal or other anatomical feature. In some implementations, a tether may be extended in a loop around an anatomical feature of a spine. A spinal fixation rod may be coupled with an inner coupling piece of a clamping assembly, such as by way of a slot formed in the inner coupling piece. The inner coupling piece may be nestably coupled within an outer coupling piece of the clamping assembly. A first end of the tether may be passed through a passage of the clamping assembly, the passage being is at least partially defined by an outer surface of the inner coupling piece and an inner surface of the outer coupling piece. The loop may be tightened about the anatomical feature with the tether clamped between the inner coupling piece and the outer coupling piece.

Abstract: Tether clamping assemblies, such as clamping assemblies used to clamp a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tether configured to engage a bone or other anatomical feature, an inner coupling piece, and an outer coupling piece. A first passage may be at least partially defined by an inner surface of the outer coupling piece and an outer surface of the inner coupling piece. The first passage may be configured such that the tether can be clamped in between the inner surface and the outer surface to allow the tether to move through the first passage in a first direction and apply a force differential such that movement of the tether in a second direction opposite the first direction is made more difficult.

Abstract: Tether clamping assemblies, such as clamping assemblies used to clamp a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tether configured to engage a bone or other anatomical feature, an inner coupling piece, and an outer coupling piece. A first passage may be at least partially defined by an inner surface of the outer coupling piece and an outer surface of the inner coupling piece. The first passage may be configured such that the tether can be clamped in between the inner surface and the outer surface to allow the tether to move through the first passage in a first direction and lock the tether in place. The inner and outer surfaces preferably differ in surface roughness to facilitate automatic or self-locking of the tether in the assembly.

Abstract: Tether tensioning instruments, such as instruments used to tension and/or lock a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the instrument may comprise a handle, a tensioner base coupled with the handle, at least a portion thereof being movably coupled to the handle, and a tether coupling member coupled with the tensioner base and configured to fixedly engage a tether. The instrument may further comprise a tensioner tip movably coupled with the tensioner base, wherein at least a portion of the tensioner base is biased away from the tensioner tip, and wherein the instrument is configured to allow for step-wise movement of the tensioner tip away from the tensioner base to increase tension between the tether and an element of the spinal fixation system.

Abstract: A tulip assembly configured to be coupled to a screw head having a first diameter includes a housing, wherein the housing defines an inner diameter configured to engage the first diameter of the screw head. The exemplary inner diameter of the housing being smaller than the first diameter of the screw head.

Abstract: Tether clamping assemblies, such as clamping assemblies used to clamp a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tether configured to engage a bone or other anatomical feature, an inner coupling piece, and an outer coupling piece. A first passage may be at least partially defined by an inner surface of the outer coupling piece and an outer surface of the inner coupling piece. The first passage may be configured such that the tether can be clamped in between the inner surface and the outer surface to allow the tether to move through the first passage in a first direction and apply a force differential such that movement of the tether in a second direction opposite the first direction is made more difficult.

Abstract: Tether clamping assemblies, such as clamping assemblies used to clamp a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tether configured to engage a bone or other anatomical feature, an inner coupling piece, and an outer coupling piece. A first passage may be at least partially defined by an inner surface of the outer coupling piece and an outer surface of the inner coupling piece. The first passage may be configured such that the tether can be clamped in between the inner surface and the outer surface to allow the tether to move through the first passage in a first direction and lock the tether in place. The inner and outer surfaces preferably differ in surface roughness to facilitate automatic or self-locking of the tether in the assembly.

Abstract: A tulip assembly configured to be coupled to a screw head having a first diameter includes a housing, wherein the housing defines an inner diameter configured to engage the first diameter of the screw head. The exemplary inner diameter of the housing being smaller than the first diameter of the screw head.

Abstract: A tulip assembly configured to be coupled to a screw head having a first diameter includes a housing, wherein the housing defines an inner diameter configured to engage the first diameter of the screw head. The exemplary inner diameter of the housing being smaller than the first diameter of the screw head.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, an expandable ring is provided including a continuous ring member having no splits or breaks. According to one exemplary embodiment, the expandable ring is a compliant mechanism configured to expand and contract due to a relative movement of related sections of the continuous ring member.

Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.

Abstract: A spinal spacer system includes a handle member, an extension member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the extension member is coupled to the handle member. Additionally, a coupling device configured to selectively couple a spacer to the second end of the extension member is disposed on the extension member including an angular fixation member configured to fix the spacer in an angular position relative to the handle member. The spinal spacer system also includes an actuator configured to selectively actuate the coupling device and the angular fixation member. The spacer of the present exemplary spinal spacer system includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotatably coupleable engagement member disposed on the proximal end of the spacer. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coupling device includes a single protruding member extending from the second end of the extension member.

Abstract: A medical instrument apparatus and method is provided for positioning and securing a spinal rod to a coupling device anchored to a vertebra. A reducer assembly shifts the spinal rod into place within the coupling device and a cap inserter assembly shifts a cap member into locking engagement with the coupling device to secure the spinal rod therein.

Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.

Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a pivotable interbody spacer system includes an insertion instrument configured to manipulate a pivotable interbody spacer during surgical insertion, wherein the insertion instrument includes means for coupling the interbody spacer and a means for fixing the angular position of the interbody spacer. According to one exemplary method for inserting the interbody spacer in a spinal disc space, the interbody spacer is grasped by the insertion instrument and fixed at a first angular position; the interbody spacer is inserted into the surgical site; the interbody spacer is released from the first angular position; the insertion instrument is pivoted about the coupling such that the interbody spacer is in a second angular position; the angular position of interbody spacer is fixed in the second angular position; the insertion process continues until the interbody spacer is positioned in the desired location.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone fixation device for stabilizing a plurality of bone segments includes a bone plate and a screw assembly. The bone plate includes a body defining at least one thru-bore, wherein the thru-bore is defined to include a central cavity, the central cavity having a middle diameter, an entry diameter, and an exit diameter, the middle diameter being larger than both the entry diameter and the exit diameter. Further, the screw assembly is configured to be coupled to the bone plate, wherein the screw assembly includes a bone screw having a head section, a thread section, and a central bore, an expandable ring coupled to the head section, and a pin at least partially disposed in the central bore, wherein the pin includes a varying outer profile that engages the expandable ring to vary an outer diameter of the expandable ring to lock the screw assembly in the thru-bore.

Abstract: A pedicle screw and rod assembly is provided which has a low profile in the final assembled position. The pedicle screw includes a screw having a threaded portion and a head portion. A tulip is positioned on the head portion of the screw. A fastener assembly is coupled to the tulip and positioned to retain the tulip on the head portion. A rod retainer member is positioned inside the tulip and grips the rod, to hold it in position relative to the tulip assembly and pedicle screw. The top of rod retaining member is approximately equal in height to, or lower than the rod itself. This provides a low profile pedicle screw and rod assembly since the rod itself will normally be the uppermost member of the completed assembly.