A surgical connection device for connecting two rod elements in one or more relative orientation includes a main body with receiving openings. The rod elements can be fixed to the main body by fixing elements. At least one receiving opening has an aperture at a receiving opening edge, through which aperture a rod element can be inserted into the receiving opening transversely to the orientation of the receiving opening. A connection system includes a surgical connection device and two or more rod elements.

A spinal construct includes a body defining a transverse axis. The body includes a wall disposed between a first implant cavity and a second implant cavity. The body further defines a first opening communicating with the first implant cavity and a second opening communicating with the second implant cavity. The first opening defines a first axis and the second opening defines a second axis. At least one of the first axis and the second axis are disposed in a substantially non-perpendicular orientation relative to the transverse axis. Systems, surgical instruments, implants and methods are disclosed.

Systems and methods for reducing the risk of PJK, PJF, and other conditions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a longitudinal extension can be added to a primary fixation construct to extend the construct to one or more additional vertebral levels. The extension can be attached to a first attachment point, such as a bone anchor implanted in a vertebra that is superior to the primary construct. The extension can also be attached to a second attachment point, such as a component of the primary construct or an anatomical structure disposed inferior to the first attachment point. The extension can be more flexible than the primary construct and/or can limit motion to a lesser degree than the primary construct, thereby providing a more-gradual transition from the instrumented vertebrae to the natural patient anatomy adjacent thereto. The extension can be placed with little or no soft tissue disruption.

The present invention relates to a connector for simultaneously fixing a screw head and a rod, wherein the connector can be firmly fixed to a screw head and a rod, which have been surgically inserted, without requiring disassembly of the screw head and the rod, thus minimizing damage to the affected region. The connector may comprise: a connecting block in which a head accommodation hole portion is formed on one side thereof to be able to accommodate at least a portion of a screw head installed in a vertebral body, and a rod accommodation groove portion is formed on the other side thereof to be able to accommodate at least a portion of a rod that extends from the screw head; a connecting rod formed in a shape extending from the connecting block; and a fixing device that fixes the connecting block to the screw head.

A posterior cervical fixation system including an occipital plate member, a cross connector, a pair of elongated spinal rods and a plurality of polyaxial screws. The occipital plate member configured for fixing to an occipital bone comprises an aperture to receive a bone anchor member to secure the occipital plate member to the occipital bone and at least one rod clamping element dimensioned to receive at least one spinal rod. The cross connector secures the pair of elongated spinal rods to vertebral bodies. The cross connector includes a pair of collet connectors and a cross bar that is configured to secure the pair of elongated spinal rods in a desired distance. Each polyaxial screw has an anchor head associated with a fastening member. The pair of elongated spinal rods is configured to extend along the vertebral bodies between the occipital plate member and at least one of the polyaxial screws.

A method of fabricating an “extension ready” spinal support system that enables the extension to be accomplished with minimal disturbance to an existing spinal support structure to which the extension system is coupled. In some embodiments, the existing spinal support rod and pedicle screws can remain intact while extension subassemblies are mounted directly to the existing base rod receptacles. The extension subassemblies include a skirt portion that surrounds and engages the existing base receptacle to prevent splaying of the base receptacle. Additional resistance to splaying may be provided by forming a canted thread arrangement between the skirt and the base receptacle. In some embodiments, the extension receptacle presents a low profile (i.e., shortened axial length from the base rod receptacle) is fabricated with a monoaxial rotation structure that rotates about but does not pitch relative to the extension axis and is shorter relative to polyaxial rotation structures.

Systems and methods for reducing the risk of PJK, PJF, and other conditions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a longitudinal extension can be added to a primary fixation construct to extend the construct to one or more additional vertebral levels. The extension can be attached to a first attachment point, such as a bone anchor implanted in a vertebra that is superior to the primary construct. The extension can also be attached to a second attachment point, such as a component of the primary construct or an anatomical structure disposed inferior to the first attachment point. The extension can be more flexible than the primary construct and/or can limit motion to a lesser degree than the primary construct, thereby providing a more-gradual transition from the instrumented vertebrae to the natural patient anatomy adjacent thereto. The extension can be placed with little or no soft tissue disruption.

An “extension ready” spinal support system that enables the extension to be accomplished with minimal disturbance to an existing spinal support structure to which the extension system is coupled. In some embodiments, the existing spinal support rod and pedicle screws can remain intact while extension subassemblies are mounted directly to the existing base rod receptacles. The extension subassemblies include a skirt portion that surrounds and engages the existing base receptacle to prevent splaying of the base receptacle. Additional resistance to splaying may be provided by a canted thread arrangement between the skirt and the base receptacle. In some embodiments, the extension receptacle is provided with a low profile (i.e., shortened axial length from the base rod receptacle) by providing a monoaxial rotation structure that rotates about but does not pitch relative to the extension axis and is shorter relative to polyaxial rotation structures.

A set screw for threadable engagement with a head of a pedicle screw for holding a spinal rod, the set screw having a spinal rod facing side and a set screw driver facing side, the set screw including an opening at the set screw driver facing side for engaging with the set screw driver, and a convex surface at the rod facing side, an apex of the convex surface substantially corresponding with a rotational central axis of the set screw.

A construct may include a connector having a first body portion and a second body portion rotatably coupled to another. A first implant cavity may be defined, at least partly, by at least two threaded arm portions defining a first axis between the at least two threaded arm portions. The first implant cavity may include a first receiving cavity configured to adjustably orient a first rod in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and the second implant cavity may include a second receiving cavity configured to orient a second rod. In some embodiments, the threaded arm portions are configured to receive a first set screw such that when the first set screw is fully tightened along the first axis the first rod is fixed relative to the first body portion in a direction extending substantially parallel with the plane.