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: Reamer instruments and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for reaming bone to facilitate in situ assembly of a bone anchor. In some embodiments, the instrument can include a feedback mechanism configured to alert the user when sufficient bone has been removed to facilitate assembly of the bone anchor. The feedback mechanism can be triggered by a movable shaft of the instrument that is displaced by the shank portion of the bone anchor as the surrounding bone is reamed.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for delivering bone cement are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, the instrument includes a cannulated bone screw having a head that is configured to be received within a rod receiver and a shank extending distally from the head and configured to extend distally from the rod receiver, a cannulated shaft having a distal end configured to extend into the shank of the cannulated bone screw and a proximal end configured to couple to a bone cement delivery system, and a retaining sleeve disposed around at least a portion of the cannulated shaft. The head of the bone screw has proximal and distal recesses therein, and a distal end of the retaining sleeve is configured to couple to the proximal recess.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for delivering bone cement are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, the instrument includes a cannulated bone screw having a head that is configured to be received within a rod receiver and a shank extending distally from the head and configured to extend distally from the rod receiver, a cannulated shaft having a distal end configured to extend into the shank of the cannulated bone screw and a proximal end configured to couple to a bone cement delivery system, and a retaining sleeve disposed around at least a portion of the cannulated shaft. The head of the bone screw has proximal and distal recesses therein, and a distal end of the retaining sleeve is configured to couple to the proximal recess.

Abstract: Reamer instruments and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for reaming bone to facilitate in situ assembly of a bone anchor. In some embodiments, the instrument can include a feedback mechanism configured to alert the user when sufficient bone has been removed to facilitate assembly of the bone anchor. The feedback mechanism can be triggered by a movable shaft of the instrument that is displaced by the shank portion of the bone anchor as the surrounding bone is reamed.

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: 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: Reamer instruments and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for reaming bone to facilitate in situ assembly of a bone anchor. In some embodiments, the instrument can include a feedback mechanism configured to alert the user when sufficient bone has been removed to facilitate assembly of the bone anchor. The feedback mechanism can be triggered by a movable shaft of the instrument that is displaced by the shank portion of the bone anchor as the surrounding bone is reamed.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for delivering bone cement are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, the instrument includes a cannulated bone screw having a head that is configured to be received within a rod receiver and a shank extending distally from the head and configured to extend distally from the rod receiver, a cannulated shaft having a distal end configured to extend into the shank of the cannulated bone screw and a proximal end configured to couple to a bone cement delivery system, and a retaining sleeve disposed around at least a portion of the cannulated shaft. The head of the bone screw has proximal and distal recesses therein, and a distal end of the retaining sleeve is configured to couple to the proximal recess.

Abstract: Reamer instruments and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for reaming bone to facilitate in situ assembly of a bone anchor. In some embodiments, the instrument can include a feedback mechanism configured to alert the user when sufficient bone has been removed to facilitate assembly of the bone anchor. The feedback mechanism can be triggered by a movable shaft of the instrument that is displaced by the shank portion of the bone anchor as the surrounding bone is reamed.

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: Methods and devices are provided for manipulating a vertebra. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a frame configured to couple two or more surgical instruments attached to one or more vertebrae. Coupling the two or more surgical instruments together, the frame and/or at least one of the surgical instruments can be manipulated to move at least one of the surgical instruments, thereby effecting movement at least one of the vertebra or vertebrae to which the surgical instruments coupled to the frame are attached. In this way, the surgical device can be used to facilitate rotation of a vertebra relative to another vertebra to correct the angular relationship of the vertebrae.

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 and include bone anchors, receiver members, and closure mechanisms. In one embodiment, a receiver member can be configured to seat a portion of a bone anchor and to receive a spinal fixation element, such as a rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiver member is bottom-loading and can include a seat having an opening that can be selectively increased and decreased in size so as to allow a bone anchor to be bottom-loaded. A force can be applied to the receiver member to increase a size of the opening, allowing a portion of the anchor to pass through the opening and into the seat. A closure element can be coupled to the receiver member and can apply a force to decrease a size of the seat and a size of the opening, angularly fixing the receiver member relative to the bone anchor.

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: Methods and devices are provided for manipulating a vertebra. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a frame configured to couple two or more surgical instruments attached to one or more vertebrae. Coupling the two or more surgical instruments together, the frame and/or at least one of the surgical instruments can be manipulated to move at least one of the surgical instruments, thereby effecting movement at least one of the vertebra or vertebrae to which the surgical instruments coupled to the frame are attached. In this way, the surgical device can be used to facilitate rotation of a vertebra relative to another vertebra to correct the angular relationship of the vertebrae.

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: Methods and devices are provided for manipulating a vertebra. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a frame configured to couple two or more surgical instruments attached to one or more vertebrae. Coupling the two or more surgical instruments together, the frame and/or at least one of the surgical instruments can be manipulated to move at least one of the surgical instruments, thereby effecting movement at least one of the vertebra or vertebrae to which the surgical instruments coupled to the frame are attached. In this way, the surgical device can be used to facilitate rotation of a vertebra relative to another vertebra to correct the angular relationship of the vertebrae.