Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a surface of the bone. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member for seating a head of the bone anchor, and a compression member for securing the bone anchor at fixed angle with respect to the receiver member when the compression member is seated within the receiver member. Corresponding engagement features of the compression member and the receiver member can be engaged in a secured configuration to inhibit or prevent removal of the compression cap from the receiver member and optionally to substantially prevent longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the compression member with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a surface of the bone. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member for seating a head of the bone anchor, and a compression member for securing the bone anchor at fixed angle with respect to the receiver member when the compression member is seated within the receiver member. Corresponding engagement features of the compression member and the receiver member can be engaged in a secured configuration to inhibit or prevent removal of the compression cap from the receiver member and optionally to substantially prevent longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the compression member with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Various devices and methods for breaking and retaining surgical reduction tabs are provided. In general, the devices and methods can allow a single surgical instrument to break a plurality of surgical reduction tabs off one or more surgical implants and retain the broken tabs within the instrument. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument can include an opening at a distal end thereof that is configured to receive a surgical reduction tab therein when the tab is connected to a surgical implant. A retention element at least partially disposed within the instrument can be configured to engage the tab received in the opening so as to hold the tab securely within the instrument. With the tab received in the opening and held by the retention element, the surgical instrument can be configured to be manipulated to break the tab off the surgical implant. The broken tab can be retained within the surgical instrument by being held therein by the retention element.

Abstract: Various devices and methods for breaking and retaining surgical reduction tabs are provided. In general, the devices and methods can allow a single surgical instrument to break a plurality of surgical reduction tabs off one or more surgical implants and retain the broken tabs within the instrument. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument can include an opening at a distal end thereof that is configured to receive a surgical reduction tab therein when the tab is connected to a surgical implant. A retention element at least partially disposed within the instrument can be configured to engage the tab received in the opening so as to hold the tab securely within the instrument. With the tab received in the opening and held by the retention element, the surgical instrument can be configured to be manipulated to break the tab off the surgical implant. The broken tab can be retained within the surgical instrument by being held therein by the retention element.

Abstract: Various devices and methods for breaking and retaining surgical reduction tabs are provided. In general, the devices and methods can allow a single surgical instrument to break a plurality of surgical reduction tabs off one or more surgical implants and retain the broken tabs within the instrument. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument can include an opening at a distal end thereof that is configured to receive a surgical reduction tab therein when the tab is connected to a surgical implant. A retention element at least partially disposed within the instrument can be configured to engage the tab received in the opening so as to hold the tab securely within the instrument. With the tab received in the opening and held by the retention element, the surgical instrument can be configured to be manipulated to break the tab off the surgical implant. The broken tab can be retained within the surgical instrument by being held therein by the retention element.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that include one or more features for indicating the relative positioning of the receiver member and the shank, or for selectively maintaining the receiver member and the shank in a fixed relative position. For example, the head of the shank can include a surface feature that interacts with a drag ring to provide tactile or audible feedback when the shank is positioned at a particular orientation with respect to the receiver member. By way of further example, the head of the shank and a compression cap disposed in the receiver member can each include engagement features that cooperate to allow for selective locking of the orientation of the shank with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Driver instruments are disclosed herein with various features for improving usability, easing the task of cleaning or sterilizing the instrument, reducing patient trauma associated with use of the instrument, and/or reducing the cost and assembly burden of the instrument. For example, a driver instrument can include a guide sleeve to protect patient tissue from damage caused by rotating components of the instrument or a bone anchor assembly coupled thereto, and to protect extension tabs of the bone anchor assembly from inadvertent separation. By way of further example, an instrument can include a preload assembly for maintaining engagement of a driver shaft of the instrument with a bone anchor assembly. As yet another example, an instrument can consist of a small number of components which are configured for simple, tool-free assembly and disassembly. An instrument can also be configured for use with bone anchor assemblies with and without extension tabs.

Abstract: Various devices and methods for breaking and retaining surgical reduction tabs are provided. In general, the devices and methods can allow a single surgical instrument to break a plurality of surgical reduction tabs off one or more surgical implants and retain the broken tabs within the instrument. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument can include an opening at a distal end thereof that is configured to receive a surgical reduction tab therein when the tab is connected to a surgical implant. A retention element at least partially disposed within the instrument can be configured to engage the tab received in the opening so as to hold the tab securely within the instrument. With the tab received in the opening and held by the retention element, the surgical instrument can be configured to be manipulated to break the tab off the surgical implant. The broken tab can be retained within the surgical instrument by being held therein by the retention element.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a surface of the bone. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member for seating a head of the bone anchor, and a compression member for securing the bone anchor at fixed angle with respect to the receiver member when the compression member is seated within the receiver member. Corresponding engagement features of the compression member and the receiver member can be engaged in a secured configuration to inhibit or prevent removal of the compression cap from the receiver member and optionally to substantially prevent longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the compression member with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a receiver member. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member that polyaxially seats a spherical head of the bone anchor, and a compression member seated within the receiver member, proximally of the head of the bone anchor. The compression member can have a distal end with gripping features thereon configured to create at least one line contact and/or one band contact with the head of the bone anchor, thus providing a firm grip on the head of the bone anchor and reducing a risk of slippage of the bone anchor with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a surface of the bone. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member for seating a head of the bone anchor, and a compression member for securing the bone anchor at fixed angle with respect to the receiver member when the compression member is seated within the receiver member. Corresponding engagement features of the compression member and the receiver member can be engaged in a secured configuration to inhibit or prevent removal of the compression cap from the receiver member and optionally to substantially prevent longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the compression member with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: A cannulated bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, and a closure mechanism to fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member. The bone anchor includes a distal shaft having a first threaded section distal to a proximal head, a second threaded section distal to and adjacent the first threaded section, and a third threaded section distal to and adjacent the second threaded section. The first threaded section having a constant major and minor diameter. The second threaded section having a tapering major and minor diameter. The third threaded section having a tapering major diameter and a constant minor diameter.

Abstract: Methods and devices that utilize segmental fixation between several adjacent vertebrae, thus allowing each vertebrae to be adjusted independently, are provided. In general, the device includes a spinal anchoring element that is adapted to seat at least one spinal fixation element, and a closure mechanism that is adapted to mate to the spinal anchoring element to lock the at least one spinal fixation element in a fixed position relative to the spinal anchoring element.

Abstract: A cannulated bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, and a closure mechanism to fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member. The bone anchor includes a distal shaft having a first threaded section distal to a proximal head, a second threaded section distal to and adjacent the first threaded section, and a third threaded section distal to and adjacent the second threaded section. The first threaded section having a constant major and minor diameter. The second threaded section having a tapering major and minor diameter. The third threaded section having a tapering major diameter and a constant minor diameter.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for connecting spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, implanted in a patient's spinal column. In particular, various spinal cross connectors are provided for connecting to one or more spinal fixation elements implanted in a patient's spine. The cross connectors can have a variety of configurations, including a fixed or adjustable length, as well as various features that allow certain portions of the cross connectors to be angularly oriented.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a receiver member. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member that seats a spherical head of the bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, a compression member seated within the receiver member, proximally of the head of the bone anchor, and a closure mechanism seated within the receiver member, proximally of the compression member. One or more of the receiver member, the compression member, and the closure mechanism can have gripping features thereon configured to secure the bone anchor and/or the spinal fixation element within the receiver member, thereby reducing a risk of slippage of the bone anchor and/or the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a surface of the bone. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member for seating a head of the bone anchor, and a compression member for securing the bone anchor at fixed angle with respect to the receiver member when the compression member is seated within the receiver member. Corresponding engagement features of the compression member and the receiver member can be engaged in a secured configuration to inhibit or prevent removal of the compression cap from the receiver member and optionally to substantially prevent longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the compression member with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing bone anchors to bone. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a bone anchor to be fixed to a bone at a desired angle to a receiver member. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor assembly is provided that includes a bone anchor configured to engage bone, a receiver member that polyaxially seats a spherical head of the bone anchor, and a compression member seated within the receiver member, proximally of the head of the bone anchor. The compression member can have a distal end with gripping features thereon configured to create at least one line contact and/or one band contact with the head of the bone anchor, thus providing a firm grip on the head of the bone anchor and reducing a risk of slippage of the bone anchor with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Various devices and methods for breaking and retaining surgical reduction tabs are provided. In general, the devices and methods can allow a single surgical instrument to break a plurality of surgical reduction tabs off one or more surgical implants and retain the broken tabs within the instrument. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument can include an opening at a distal end thereof that is configured to receive a surgical reduction tab therein when the tab is connected to a surgical implant. A retention element at least partially disposed within the instrument can be configured to engage the tab received in the opening so as to hold the tab securely within the instrument. With the tab received in the opening and held by the retention element, the surgical instrument can be configured to be manipulated to break the tab off the surgical implant. The broken tab can be retained within the surgical instrument by being held therein by the retention element.

Abstract: A cannulated bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, and a closure mechanism to fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member. The bone anchor includes a distal shaft having a first threaded section proximal a proximal head, a second threaded section proximal to and adjacent the first threaded section, and a third threaded section proximal to and adjacent the second threaded section. The first threaded section having a constant major and minor diameter. The second threaded section having a tapering major and minor diameter. The third threaded section having a tapering major diameter and a constant minor diameter.