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: 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: An instrument for manipulating a spinal fixation element relative to a bone anchor includes a bone anchor grasping mechanism, a first adjustment mechanism, and a second adjustment mechanism. The bone anchor grasping mechanism includes a first arm having a distal end configured to engage an opening provided in the bone anchor. The first adjustment mechanism includes a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm. The second arm has a distal end configured to engage an opening provided in the bone anchor and is operable to adjust a spinal fixation element in a first direction upon pivoting relative to the first arm. The second adjustment mechanism is removably and replaceably coupled to the bone anchor grasping mechanism and is movable relative to the bone anchor grasping mechanism to adjust the spinal fixation element in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, relative to the bone anchor.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal rod reduction device is provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. The spinal rod reduction device can include a fastener engaging member for engaging at least a portion a spinal implant element, a reduction member for engaging at least a portion of a spinal fixation element, and a handle assembly mated to the reduction member. The handle assembly can be designed in such a way that actuation of the handle assembly causes movement of the reduction member relative to the fastener engaging member and the movement of the reduction member reduces the spinal fixation element into the spinal implant element. Two different styles of spinal rod reduction devices are discussed in detail. Various techniques are also provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element.

Abstract: An instrument for manipulating a spinal fixation element relative to a bone anchor includes a bone anchor grasping mechanism, a first adjustment mechanism, and a second adjustment mechanism. The bone anchor grasping mechanism includes a first arm having a distal end configured to engage an opening provided in the bone anchor. The first adjustment mechanism includes a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm. The second arm has a distal end configured to engage an opening provided in the bone anchor and is operable to adjust a spinal fixation element in a first direction upon pivoting relative to the first arm. The second adjustment mechanism is removably and replaceably coupled to the bone anchor grasping mechanism and is movable relative to the bone anchor grasping mechanism to adjust the spinal fixation element in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, relative to the bone anchor.

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: Methods and devices are provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal rod reduction device is provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. The spinal rod reduction device can include a fastener engaging member for engaging at least a portion a spinal implant element, a reduction member for engaging at least a portion of a spinal fixation element, and a handle assembly mated to the reduction member. The handle assembly can be designed in such a way that actuation of the handle assembly causes movement of the reduction member relative to the fastener engaging member and the movement of the reduction member reduces the spinal fixation element into the spinal implant element. Two different styles of spinal rod reduction devices are discussed in detail. Various techniques are also provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal rod reduction device is provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. The spinal rod reduction device can include a fastener engaging member for engaging at least a portion a spinal implant element, a reduction member for engaging at least a portion of a spinal fixation element, and a handle assembly mated to the reduction member. The handle assembly can be designed in such a way that actuation of the handle assembly causes movement of the reduction member relative to the fastener engaging member and the movement of the reduction member reduces the spinal fixation element into the spinal implant element. Two different styles of spinal rod reduction devices are discussed in detail. Various techniques are also provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal rod reduction device is provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. The spinal rod reduction device can include a fastener engaging member for engaging at least a portion a spinal implant element, a reduction member for engaging at least a portion of a spinal fixation element, and a handle assembly mated to the reduction member. The handle assembly can be designed in such a way that actuation of the handle assembly causes movement of the reduction member relative to the fastener engaging member and the movement of the reduction member reduces the spinal fixation element into the spinal implant element. Two different styles of spinal rod reduction devices are discussed in detail. Various techniques are also provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal rod reduction device is provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. The spinal rod reduction device can include a fastener engaging member for engaging at least a portion a spinal implant element, a reduction member for engaging at least a portion of a spinal fixation element, and a handle assembly mated to the reduction member. The handle assembly can be designed in such a way that actuation of the handle assembly causes movement of the reduction member relative to the fastener engaging member and the movement of the reduction member reduces the spinal fixation element into the spinal implant element. Two different styles of spinal rod reduction devices are discussed in detail. Various techniques are also provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic recording member comprising at least:an electrically-insulating substrate;an intermediate layer overlying the substrate, the intermediate layer being electrically conductive;an outer layer overlying the intermediate layer, the outer layer comprising a photoconductive material or a dielectric material of high volume resistivity; andmeans for establishing a ground connection to the electrically-conductive intermediate layer;the improvement comprising said ground connection means comprising at least one hole or aperture disposed through the thickness of the recording member from a surface thereof at least to the depth of the conductive intermediate layer and substantially completely filled with an electrically-conductive composition comprising a plastic adhesive and a sufficient amount of an electrically-conducting pigment to make the composition electrically-conductive.