Abstract: Rod reducers for use in orthopedic surgery are disclosed that include a fastener engaging member and a reducing member coupled together by an actuator assembly. The fastener engaging member can be secured to a fastener engaged to bone or tissue of the patient. The actuator assembly moves the reducing member such that its distal end contacts a rod and moves it toward the fastener.

Abstract: A registration device is used to couple an identification superstructure of a surgical navigation system to the spinal column. The registration device includes a pair of vertebral engaging members positionable in a spinal disc space. At least one of the vertebrae engaging members moves outwardly from a collapsed position to engage the registration device to the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Rod reducers for use in orthopedic surgery are disclosed that include a fastener engaging member and a reducing member coupled together by an actuator assembly. The fastener engaging member can be secured to a fastener engaged to bone or tissue of the patient. The actuator assembly moves the reducing member such that its distal end contacts a rod and moves it toward the fastener.

Abstract: A modular bone fastener system for use with a longitudinal member, such as a plate, having a fastener with a threaded lower potion for engaging a spinal element and an upper portion adapted to receive a headpiece. The headpiece is adapted to mate with the upper portion of the fastener and to engage a longitudinal member. A plurality of headpieces having angulated projections, lateral sections, and angulated lateral sections, all of which are adapted to engage a longitudinal member and overcome angular and translational misalignment of the fastener, may also be provided. The headpieces of some connectors are configured to permit angulation of a bore fastener relative to the connector.

Abstract: A spinal implant system is disclosed for the fixation of bone segments in the spine. The system includes an elongated member, one or more bone anchor assemblies, and stabilizer members which are fitted within the elongated member. A bone anchor is attached to a bone, and the elongated member and stabilizer are fitted over the bone anchor. A rounded washer and nut having a corresponding rounded underside surface are fitted on to the bone anchor over the elongated member, and tightened. The configuration of the bone anchor assembly, including an intermediate portion of the bone anchor, the arcuate washer, and the nut, along with the configuration of the sliding support, allows multi-axial positioning of the bone anchor with respect to the elongated member at a plurality of locations along a slotted member.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: A multi-axial bone fixation implant includes an elongated member, one or more bone anchor assemblies, and stabilizer members which are fitted within the elongated member. A bone bolt having cancellous threads on one end and machine threads at the opposing end and an enlarged portion between these sections is also provided. The bone bolt is anchored into a bone via the cancellous thread end. The machine threaded end passes through an opening of the elongated member and the stabilizer, and is engaged by a coupled washer and nut. The washer includes an undercut within its oblong aperture, and the nut includes a projecting sleeve. The sleeve is inserted into the washer aperture and expanded, so that the undercut retains the sleeve within the washer without impairing the rotatability or translatability of the nut and washer with respect to each other.

Abstract: A multi-axial bone fixation implant includes an elongated member, one or more bone anchor assemblies, and stabilizer members which are fitted within the elongated member. A bone bolt having cancellous threads on one end and machine threads at the opposing end and an enlarged portion between these sections is also provided. The bone bolt is anchored into a bone via the cancellous thread end. The machine threaded end passes through an opening of the elongated member and the stabilizer, and is engaged by a coupled washer and nut. The washer includes an undercut within its oblong aperture, and the nut includes a projecting sleeve. The sleeve is inserted into the washer aperture and expanded, so that the undercut retains the sleeve within the washer without impairing the rotatability or translatability of the nut and washer with respect to each other.

Abstract: A spinal implant system is disclosed for the fixation of bone segments in the spine. The system includes an elongated member, one or more bone anchor assemblies, and stabilizer members which are fitted within the elongated member. A bone anchor is attached to a bone, and the elongated member and stabilizer are fitted over the bone anchor. A rounded washer and nut having a corresponding rounded underside surface are fitted on to the bone anchor over the elongated member, and tightened. The configuration of the bone anchor assembly, including an intermediate portion of the bone anchor, the arcuate washer, and the nut, along with the configuration of the sliding support, allows multi-axial positioning of the bone anchor with respect to the elongated member at a plurality of locations along a slotted member.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: A modular bone fastener system for use with a longitudinal member, such as a plate, having a fastener with a threaded lower potion for engaging a spinal element and an upper portion adapted to receive a headpiece. The headpiece is adapted to mate with the upper portion of the fastener and to engage a longitudinal member. A plurality of headpieces having angulated projections, lateral sections, and angulated lateral sections, all of which are adapted to engage a longitudinal member and overcome angular and translational misalignment of the fastener, may also be provided. The headpieces of some connectors are configured to permit angulation of a bore fastener relative to the connector.

Abstract: A cable operated bone anchor compressor and a method for thoracoscopically compressing bone anchors are disclosed. In procedures in which bone anchors, such as bone screws, are fixed to bone tissue and such bone tissue is to be readjusted or realigned, the device of the present invention is thoracoscopically inserted. The device includes a cable to be placed in contact with one bone anchor, and an elongated member with a mating head to be placed against another bone anchor. When the cable is retracted, the bone anchors are compressed or pulled toward each other to realign, in a desired fashion, the bone tissue to which they are attached.

Abstract: A double hull vessel is disclosed having a novel type of ballast tank element. That ballast tank element has a half-breadth double-bottom ballast tank and a side ballast tank. The half-breadth double-bottom ballast tank has a tank access trunk that is located within the double-side of the hull. Preferably, that tank access trunk is at least one frame space wide. The side ballast tank is located within the double-hull, and is adjacent to the tank access trunk. Preferably, the ballast tank elements are used in pairs which are adjacent and opposite from each other. These pairs of ballast tank elements can be used in conjunction with double-hull ballast tank elements having no internal subdivisions.

Abstract: A double hull vessel is disclosed having a novel type of ballast tank element. That ballast tank element has a half-breadth double-bottom ballast tank and a side ballast tank. The half-breadth double-bottom ballast tank has a tank access trunk that is located within the double-side hull. Preferably, that tank access trunk is at least one frame space wide. The side ballast tank is located within the double-hull, and is adjacent to the tank access trunk. Preferably, the ballast tank elements are used in pairs which are adjacent and opposite from each other. These pairs of ballast tank elements can be used in conjunction with double-hull ballast tank elements having no internal subdivisions.