Various bone fixation device embodiments include both a fixation device (such as a screw) and a detachable driver device, with the fixation device having an elongate uncannulated fixation shaft, a sharp distal tip, and a proximal head having a first coupling structure and a proximal flat surface, and the detachable driver device having an elongate driver shaft and a distal head having a second coupling structure and a distal flat surface. Further implementations include a combination device comprising both a detachable driver device and a fixation device, along with related systems and methods. In addition, a stabilization device is provided that can be coupled to a detachable driver device and an attachment device to help maintain the coupling of the driver device and the attachment device and help to maintain the coupling thereof during a procedure.

Systems for variable angle insertion of surgical fasteners relative to an orthopedic plate with locking of the surgical fastener relative to the plate upon insertion. The systems may include a pivot member secured relative to either the orthopedic plate or the fastener. In either regard, the pivot member may provide locking engagement with the plate to lockingly engage the fastener relative to the plate.

An orthopedic screw extractor device including a shaft, an end portion about a first end of the shaft for securing to a handle, and a screw extracting tip about a second end of the shaft opposite the first end. The screw extracting tip further includes a generally frustoconical shape having a side at an angle of about 5 to 15 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the screw extracting tip. The screw extracting tip further includes first, second and third screw threads and first, second and third flutes circumferentially spaced about the screw extracting tip and extending across an entire length of the screw extracting tip. Each of the screw threads has a lead of about 0.07 to 0.12 inches, a pitch of about 0.02 to 0.04 inches, a thread angle of about 40 to 50 degrees, and a depth of about 0.01 to 0.02 inches.

A surgical instrument comprises a first member including a drive engageable with a first mating surface of a bone fastener. A second member is rotatable relative to the first member and includes an element engageable with a second mating surface of the bone fastener. An actuator is connected with the second member and includes visual indicia of engagement of the element with the second mating surface. Systems, spinal implants and methods are disclosed.

A pop-up wheel device for use in material handling equipment. In one embodiment, the pop-up wheel device includes a housing, which is a can of generally track-shaped transverse cross-section. A nipple is mounted in the housing bottom to permit fluid under pressure to pass to and from the interior of the housing. A cap, which includes a central opening, is positioned over and is secured to the housing. A piston is slidably mounted within the housing between a lower position and an upper position. A seal is fitted around a lower portion of the piston and creates an air-tight chamber between the piston and the housing. A spring biases the piston towards the lower position. A wheel that is freely rotatable in one direction is coupled to the piston using a wheel mount. The wheel may be removed from the wheel mount without removing the cap from the housing.

Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.

Driver instruments and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for applying a fastener to a bone anchor. Various features are disclosed for retaining the fastener to the driver instrument, such as tapered drive tips, as are various features for impacting the driver instrument into the fastener, such as slidable slap-hammer type handles. Driver instruments with interchangeable handles or handle geometries that can be changed without separating the instrument from an attached fastener are also disclosed.

A bone screw comprises a main body including a shank portion, a head portion attached to the shank portion, and a cap moveably attached to the head portion. The head portion includes a tool interface structure therein having a closed end portion, an open end portion and sidewall extending therebetween. A tool lock recess is provided in at least one of the sidewalls of the tool interface structure. The tool interface structure is accessible through an opening within an exterior surface of the cap.

A surgical fastener manipulation tool in accordance with embodiment of the present invention is useful by a surgeon to place fasteners such as threaded screws. The surgical fastener manipulation tool selectively engages a mating structure of fastener for securing the fastener thereto. Thus, advantageously, the surgical fastener manipulation tool can be used for placing such fasteners and/or can be used for extracting (i.e., removing) such fasteners. The ability to extract a fastener (e.g., a threaded bone screw) with the same tool used for placing it is highly beneficial due to time savings during a surgical procedure and is advantageous with respect to prior art fastener manipulation tool configurations that require placement and extraction tools to be differently configured.

Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.