Abstract: A surgical plate device that incorporates a screw locking mechanism in each screw hole by which the surgical plate device is affixed to a bony segment. The screw locking mechanism includes a tab structure emanating from an interior portion (or either surface) of the surgical plate that is biased into a portion of the corresponding screw hole. When a screw is inserted into the screw hole, the head of the screw temporarily biases the tab structure out of the screw hole, until the head of the screw passes below the plane of the tab structure, at which point the tab structure rebounds into the previously occupied portion of the screw hole, thereby covering a portion of the head of the screw and preventing it from “backing out.

Abstract: Medical device locking mechanisms and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the medical device may comprise an outer surface defining one or more fastener openings configured for receiving one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners may comprise an upper surface configured to be engaged by a component of the locking system to prevent fastener backout. A plurality of petal structures may be configured to be selectively expanded or contracted to engage the head portion and retain the at least one fastener within the fastener opening to prevent the fastener from backing out of the fastener opening. A biasing member may selectively engage the plurality of petal structures to either expand or contract the plurality of petal structures to facilitate locking the fastener(s) in place within the device.

Abstract: Medical device locking mechanisms and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the medical device may comprise an outer surface defining one or more fastener openings configured for receiving one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners may comprise an upper surface configured to be engaged by a component of the locking system to prevent fastener backout. A plurality of petal structures may be configured to be selectively expanded or contracted to engage the head portion and retain the at least one fastener within the fastener opening to prevent the fastener from backing out of the fastener opening. A biasing member may selectively engage the plurality of petal structures to either expand or contract the plurality of petal structures to facilitate locking the fastener(s) in place within the device.

Abstract: A surgical plate device that incorporates a screw locking mechanism in each screw hole by which the surgical plate device is affixed to a bony segment. The screw locking mechanism includes a tab structure emanating from an interior portion (or either surface) of the surgical plate that is biased into a portion of the corresponding screw hole. When a screw is inserted into the screw hole, the head of the screw temporarily biases the tab structure out of the screw hole, until the head of the screw passes below the plane of the tab structure, at which point the tab structure rebounds into the previously occupied portion of the screw hole, thereby covering a portion of the head of the screw and preventing it from “backing out.

Abstract: Medical device locking mechanisms and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the medical device may comprise an outer surface defining one or more fastener openings configured for receiving one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners may comprise an upper surface configured to be engaged by a component of the locking system to prevent fastener backout. A plurality of petal structures may be configured to be selectively expanded or contracted to engage the head portion and retain the at least one fastener within the fastener opening to prevent the fastener from backing out of the fastener opening. A biasing member may selectively engage the plurality of petal structures to either expand or contract the plurality of petal structures to facilitate locking the fastener(s) in place within the device.

Abstract: Biomedical implant fastener systems, such as bone screw systems and the like. In some embodiments, a fastener may comprise a first plurality of teeth, and a washer configured to be received on the fastener may comprise a second plurality of teeth configured to be engaged with the first plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth may be configured to engage with the second plurality of teeth such that so as to allow for selective rotation between the washer and the fastener in a first rotational direction and so as to prevent rotation between the washer and the fastener in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction when the fastener is engaged with the washer such that second plurality of teeth is engaged with the first plurality of teeth so as to prevent the fastener from backing out of the washer after engagement.

Abstract: In a rod fixation system of the type used to treat various spinal conditions, the same fastener is used to lock both a polyaxial screw and a rod in position. A spinal correction device according to the invention, adapted for use with a rod and a polyaxial screw having a ball-shaped head and a threaded end, comprises a head-body and a cap. The head-body includes a lower internal cavity to receive the ball-shaped head of the screw, an upper bore to receive a fixation rod therethrough, and an upper end configured to receive the cap. The head-body and the cap are configured such that a first rotation of the cap locks the polyaxial screw in position, and a second rotation of the cap locks the rod in position. In the preferred embodiment, the head-body includes one or more gaps to facilitate flexion of the head-body as a rotational torque is placed on the cap. The gap or gaps may be horizontal, vertical or other angles relative to the axis of the entrapped rod.

Abstract: Biomedical implant fastener systems, such as bone screw systems and the like. In some embodiments, a fastener may comprise a first plurality of teeth, and a washer configured to be received on the fastener may comprise a second plurality of teeth configured to be engaged with the first plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth may be configured to engage with the second plurality of teeth such that so as to allow for selective rotation between the washer and the fastener in a first rotational direction and so as to prevent rotation between the washer and the fastener in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction when the fastener is engaged with the washer such that second plurality of teeth is engaged with the first plurality of teeth so as to prevent the fastener from backing out of the washer after engagement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a minimally invasive surgery pedicle screw system, including: a plurality of slotted guides that are selectively inserted through one or more surgical incisions; a plurality of pedicle screws selectively coupled to the plurality of slotted guides that are selectively secured to one or more bony anatomical structures; a pendulum mechanism selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; and a connecting rod selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; wherein the pendulum mechanism is selectively coupled to the connecting rod. The connecting rod is selectively secured to one or more of the plurality of pedicle screws.

Abstract: Medical device locking mechanisms and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the medical device may comprise an outer surface defining one or more fastener openings configured for receiving one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners may comprise an upper surface configured to be engaged by a component of the locking system to prevent fastener backout. A plurality of petal structures may be configured to be selectively expanded or contracted to engage the head portion and retain the at least one fastener within the fastener opening to prevent the fastener from backing out of the fastener opening. A biasing member may selectively engage the plurality of petal structures to either expand or contract the plurality of petal structures to facilitate locking the fastener(s) in place within the device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bone-fastening system includes a handle, a barrel assembly connected to the handle, and a bridge assembly connected to the barrel assembly. The bridge assembly may be configured to receive a first connector element and a second connector element in axial alignment with the first connector element so as to receive a fastening element between the first and second connector elements. The system may also include a control configured to, upon actuation, approximate the first connector element and the second connector element so as to apply compressive pressure to bone portions positioned between the first connector element and the second connector element. A drive mechanism configured to advance the fastening element through the bone portions and connect the first connector element with the second connector element to fasten the bone portions under compression may also be provided with the system.

Abstract: Methods for installing bone anchors, such as pedicle screws or other surgical screws. In some implementations, the surgical screw may be coupled with a connection member, such as a tulip assembly, configured to couple the surgical screw with a stabilization member, such as a spinal fixation rod. The connection member may be initially coupled with the surgical screw in a polyaxial configuration, after which the connection member may be secured to the surgical screw in a monoaxial configuration. The stabilization member may then be coupled and secured with the connection member such that the stabilization member cannot move relative to the connection member. In some implementations, the stabilization member may be locked or secured to the connection member after the connection member has been secured to the surgical screw in a monoaxial configuration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bone-fastening system includes a handle, a barrel assembly connected to the handle, and a bridge assembly connected to the barrel assembly. The bridge assembly may be configured to receive a first connector element and a second connector element in axial alignment with the first connector element so as to receive a fastening element between the first and second connector elements. The system may also include a control configured to, upon actuation, approximate the first connector element and the second connector element so as to apply compressive pressure to bone portions positioned between the first connector element and the second connector element. A drive mechanism configured to advance the fastening element through the bone portions and connect the first connector element with the second connector element to fasten the bone portions under compression may also be provided with the system.

Abstract: A bone-fastening system includes an implant with a threaded screw, a distal nut with a threaded bore, and a proximal washer which may also be threaded. An instrument for implanting the implant includes a handle and a barrel terminating in a holder for the washer. A c-shaped bridge assembly has a first end connected to the barrel and a second end including a holder for the nut in axial alignment with the washer. A manually operated control on the instrument, coupled to an elongated element in the barrel, causes the washer to move toward the nut, thereby applying compressive pressure to bone portions to be fastened together. A drive mechanism disposed within the barrel has a distal end with a holder for the screw and a proximal end that is turned by a user, thereby advancing the screw through the washer to the nut to fasten the bone portions under compression. The manually operated control is preferably a trigger that is squeezed toward the handle by a user.

Abstract: In a rod fixation system of the type used to treat various spinal conditions, the same fastener is used to lock both a polyaxial screw and a rod in position. A spinal correction device according to the invention, adapted for use with a rod and a polyaxial screw having a ball-shaped head and a threaded end, comprises a head-body and a cap. The head-body includes a lower internal cavity to receive the ball-shaped head of the screw, an upper bore to receive a fixation rod therethrough, and an upper end configured to receive the cap. The head-body and the cap are configured such that a first rotation of the cap locks the polyaxial screw in position, and a second rotation of the cap locks the rod in position. In the preferred embodiment, the head-body includes one or more gaps to facilitate flexion of the head-body as a rotational torque is placed on the cap. The gap or gaps may be horizontal, vertical or other angles relative to the axis of the entrapped rod.

Abstract: A bone-fastening system includes an implant with a threaded screw, a distal nut with a threaded bore, and a proximal washer which may also be threaded. An instrument for implanting the implant includes a handle and a barrel terminating in a holder for the washer. A c-shaped bridge assembly has a first end connected to the barrel and a second end including a holder for the nut in axial alignment with the washer. A manually operated control on the instrument, coupled to an elongated element in the barrel, causes the washer to move toward the nut, thereby applying compressive pressure to bone portions to be fastened together. A drive mechanism disposed within the barrel has a distal end with a holder for the screw and a proximal end that is turned by a user, thereby advancing the screw through the washer to the nut to fasten the bone portions under compression. The manually operated control is preferably a trigger that is squeezed toward the handle by a user.