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.

To provide a bone fixation device able to firmly fix bone elements. A bone fixation device, comprising: a base section having a first space that holds a rod; a hook formed with a second space in which a bone element is accommodated together with a art of the base section; and a sandwiching part that is installed to the base section and that sandwiches the bone element which has been accommodated in the second space together with a pail of the hook, wherein the sandwiching part is shiftable allowing attachment to the bone element.

Occipital plate systems are described. The occipital plate systems include an occipital plate having an upper portion and lower portion. The lower portion can include an opening for receiving one or more lateral members therethrough. The lateral members include top and/or side apertures for receiving lateral connectors that are attached to polyaxial screw receiving members. The occipital plate systems can also include low-profile clamping arms that are operably attached to an occipital plate via an extension member and articulating joint member. The clamping arms, along with tension cables attached intermittently along its length, can be used in addition to or instead of screws and hooks to secure an occipital plate system to vertebrae.

A flexible fastening band connector can comprises a recess to receive a distal end portion of a flexible fastening band and lumen to receive the proximal end portion of the flexible fastening band. The lumen guides the proximal end portion of the flexible fastening band toward a fastening mechanism. The flexible fastening band connector can comprise an opening to receive a spinal rod. In operation, the spinal rod is coupled to additional devices to secure the spinal rod to portions of one or more vertebra. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed connector is provided.

An interspinous process device is configured for placement between adjacent spinous processes on a subject's spine. The device includes a housing configured for mounting to a first spinal process, the housing having a lead screw fixedly secured at one end thereof. A magnetic assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing and configured for mounting to a second spinal process. The magnetic assembly includes a hollow magnet configured for rotation within the magnetic assembly, the hollow magnet comprising a threaded insert configured to engage with the lead screw. An externally applied magnetic field rotates the hollow magnet in a first direction or a second, opposite direction. Rotation of the hollow magnet in the first direction causes telescopic movement of the magnetic assembly out of the housing (i.e., elongation) and rotation in the second direction causes telescopic movement of the magnetic assembly into the housing (i.e., shortening).

For treating a fracture in a pars interarticularis, methods and apparatus provide for: (i) coupling a spinous process plate to a lateral side of a spinous process of a spine of a patient, the spinous process plate extending substantially parallel to a sagittal plane through the spine, the spinous process plate including a first fixation element configured to attach the spinous process plate to the lateral side; (ii) coupling a laminar plate to a laminar on the lateral side, the laminar plate extending transversely from the spinous process plate and transversely to both the sagittal plane and a coronal plane through the spine, the laminar plate including a second fixation element configured to attach the laminar plate to the laminar on the lateral side; (iii) engaging a sub-laminar hook to the laminar on the lateral side, the sub-laminar hook extending transversely from the laminar plate and substantially parallel to a transverse plane through the spine, the sub-laminar hook configured to extend and hook beneath the laminar on the lateral side; (iv) extending a rod toward a pedicle on the lateral side, the rod having proximal and distal ends and extending substantially perpendicular to a length of the fracture, from the laminar plate toward the pedicle; and (v) anchoring the rod in a configuration that prohibits movement of first and second parts of the fractured pars interarticularis relative to one another, by coupling the proximal end to the laminar plate, and the distal end to the pedicle on the lateral side.

A spinal stabilization system may include at least one pedicle screw comprising a threaded base to be connected to a superior pedicle of a vertebra and a screw head attached to the threaded base. The system may further include at least one pars interarticularis clamp comprising an elongate body defining a screw head connection point to be connected to the screw head of the pedicle screw, and a laminar hook coupled to the elongate body and configured to wrap around an edge of the lamina and compress the pars interarticularis of the vertebra when the screw head connection point is connected to the screw head.

The present invention is generally directed to orthopedic fixation devices that comprise a pre-assembled double headed tulip assembly, having two tulip elements to receive rods, wherein the assembly may be configured to receive a bone fastener in at least one of the tulip elements. At least one of the tulip elements may comprise a saddle and a ring to attach the double headed tulip to a bone fastener.

Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide pull-out resistance, stability and/or maximize contact with tissue involving a minimum amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces.