Abstract: This invention relates to a transverse connector member which is used to connect two substantially parallel spinal implant rods. The transverse connector has a first and a second member which includes a clamp comprising a rod receiving recess and top-loaded set screw which cause both a vertical and a horizontal loading of the rod in order to bias the rod into contact with the recess. The set screw is a beveled set screw. In one embodiment, the clamping members are two separate components which provide for an adjustable distance between the clamping members. In another embodiment, the connector is a single unit in which the clamping members have openings in the same direction to facilitate loading the connector onto the rods.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly is provided having a top loading anchor which is fixed to a spinal member by means of a hook or screw. The anchor includes a seat having a channel to receive a stabilizer rod and a sliding interconnecting closure member which slides in a longitudinal direction relative to the anchor seat to form an integral closed anchor seat assembly. The closure member includes retaining flanges which dove tail relative to undercut retaining flanges of the seat member so as to prohibit the sliding closure member from being dislodged from the closure from the seat channel, as well as inhibit the splaying of the seat member in response to forces which may be imposed upon the seat member during derotation of the spine. In addition, the seat member includes a boss and/or hollow to form a biased lock and compression screw to lock the rod in position relative to the anchor. An instrument is provided which holds the slide for assembly in a spring loaded ball plunger.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the internal fixation of the spine. The apparatus comprises an assembly having at least two anchors and an elongated stabilizer. The anchors each have means to hold the anchor to the bone, and include receiving means which receive the stabilizer as well as securing means which cooperate with the receiving means by means of the interaction of mating threads to cause the application of compression on the stabilizer into the receiving means.

Abstract: A bone interface anchor is provided for use with a stabilizer rod for the internal fixation of a spine. The anchor has a seat which accommodates the stabilizer rod and which receives a bone screw for the fixation of the seat to the bone. A compression member cooperates with the seat external to the stabilizer rod and can be tightened to cause a compressive force on the stabilizer rod. The stabilizer rod bears on a rounded surface of the bone screw so as to cause a mating interface between the seat and the bone screw. Subsequently, the position of the seat relative to the bone screw can be locked.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the internal fixation of the spine. The apparatus comprises two sets of implants (8) each consisting of a rod (18) and a plurality of vertebral anchors (16). The rod (18) is secured to the vertebral elements by the vertebral anchors (16). The anchor (16) includes a transpedicular screw (21) which is secured to a vertebrae. The anchor (16) further includes an anchor seat (23) which captures the screw (21) and permits micromotion between the anchor seat (23) and screw (21). This seat (23) has a rod-receiving channel (51,52) which captures the rod (18). A cap (25) cooperates with the seat (23) to secure the rod (18) in the anchor (16). A nut (27) screws down from the top of the assembly onto the seat (23) to cause rod (18) receiving flanges (46,47) in the cap (23) to apply a compressive force to the rod (18 ). A method of therapy is presented in which the present implants (8) are inserted surgically into a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the internal fixation of the spine. The apparatus comprises two sets of implants each consisting of a rod and a plurality of vertebral anchors. A set of implants is positioned on the spine on either side of the spinous process spanning the portion of spine to be immobilized. The rod is secured to the vertebral laminae by the vertebral anchors. The anchor includes a transpedicular screw member which is secured to a vertebrae. A rod support includes a cup which captures the screw and optionally permits micromotion between the rod support and screw. The rod support also includes a rod-receiving channel which captures the rod. A clamp is provided to secure the rod in the channel.