A tool for use with a fastener includes a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The tool includes an engaging tip extending from the distal end, the engaging tip sized and shaped to detachably engage a receiving portion of the fastener, wherein the engaging tip is rotationally fixed to the fastener when the engaging tip is engaged with the fastener. The tool includes a compressible winged member extending distally from the drive shaft, the compressible winged member moveable between compressed and uncompressed positions. In the uncompressed position, the compressible winged member spans a distance greater than an internal diameter of a portion of the receiving portion.

A two-piece suspension pedicle anchor and its system and component-set is disclosed. The two-piece suspension pedicle anchor comprises a proximal piece and a distal piece that can rotate relatively. An external thread is arranged on the outer surface of the proximal piece, and a transverse through hole for an artificial ligament to pass through is arranged at the distal piece. As the two-piece suspension pedicle anchor is rotated and gradually locked into the bone, only the proximal piece is rotated, and the distal piece with the artificial ligament is pushed down but not rotated; in addition, the artificial ligament will be brought into the bone along with the distal piece and sandwiched between the outer surface of the proximal piece and the bone, that is, the artificial ligament will be sandwiched and fixed between the anchor-bone interface without wrapping around the outer surface of the proximal piece.

A surgical instrument for reducing a rod into a saddle of a fixation member includes a distal end for engaging the saddle and a proximal end. A reducing device is disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The reducing device is operative to reduce the rod into the saddle. The reducing device defines a throughbore. The throughbore provides access there through by a first drive member to secure a plug to the saddle.

This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column. More specifically, the application describes instruments and methods for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column in a minimally invasive fashion.

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.

Briefly, the invention relates to a surgical tool and method for forming a pilot bore by inserting a guide wire into bone. The surgical tool is constructed and arranged for use in conjunction with X-ray or ultrasound machines. More particularly, the device includes a cannulated hand grip and driving tool used for the rotation of a bone or pedicle screw into bone. The rear portion of the hand grip includes a slide assembly that is suited to grip a guide wire. The slide assembly includes a user adjustable stop to control the sliding movement of the guide wire. The rear surface of the slide is constructed to be impacted with a hammer or similar device, whereby the stop prevents the guide wire from penetrating the bone further than desired. Should it be desired that the wire be retracted, a jack member is included to allow the wire to be precisely retracted. The hand grip is securable to various surgical driving tools for the purpose of providing the ability to cooperate with various brands of pedicle screws and other surgical implants for spinal procedures.

A spinal-surgery system having a rod receiver and/or a cap having a generally cylindrical body, a set of opposing splay-resisting flanges, and a set of opposing rotation-preventing/rotation-resisting wings. Each wing has a lateral rotation-preventing portion and a lateral rotation-resisting portion. A receiver proximal end forms a wing-receiving cavity having a lateral rotation-preventing side and a lateral rotation-resisting side. Each flange has a proximal-facing splay-resist surface, and a distal-facing pop-on surface. Each receiver proximal protrusion has a proximal-facing sloped receiver pop-on surface, and a distal-facing sloped receiver splay-resist surface. Each rotation-preventing portion contacts a corresponding rotation-preventing side and each rotation-resisting portion contacts a corresponding rotation-resisting sides when the cap is popped on. The rotation-preventing portions contacting the rotation-preventing sides prevents cap rotation in a first direction. The rotation-resisting portion contacting the rotation-resisting side resists cap rotation in a second direction, but allows rotation in the second, forcing the arms to splay.

Instruments and methods for selectively coupling to an object are provided, for example surgical instruments that can form a rigid connection with an object and also be disassembled for cleaning, sterilization, etc. One embodiment includes an elongate shaft with a longitudinal groove, a first partial circumferential groove that intersects with a distal end of the longitudinal groove, and a second at least partial circumferential groove formed distal to the first partial circumferential groove. The instrument also includes a sleeve disposed over the elongate shaft that includes a protrusion extending from an internal wall that is received within the longitudinal groove to constrain movement of the sleeve relative to the elongate shaft. The sleeve further includes a lock that interfaces with the second at least partial circumferential groove when the protrusion is disposed in the first partial circumferential groove to further selectively constrain axial and rotational movement of the sleeve.

A spinal rod connector assembly is provided for connecting and axially aligning two in situ spinal posterior rod portions. The spinal rod connector assembly comprises a rod connector and one or more rod fasteners. The rod connector comprises a rod receiving passage extending between two opposite ends of the rod connector. Seats are provided along the passage to engage with the rod portions when the spinal rod assembly has been implanted. The rod connector comprises one or more locking holes extending from the connector top side into or towards the rod receiving passage. The one or more locking holes being sized and shaped for engaging with the one or more rod fasteners.

A locking-cap module may include a locking-cap having a first connecting flange and a second connecting flange opposite the first connecting flange extending from a side surface of the locking-cap. The locking-cap may further include a first retaining rail and a second retaining rail opposite the first retaining rail. The locking-cap module may further include a set screw configured to engage with corresponding threads of the locking-cap. In some embodiments, the first connecting flange and second connecting flange are configured to engage with a connector such that the top surface of the locking-cap is flush with a top surface of the connector in an engaged position. In some embodiments, the set screw is initially coupled to the locking-cap by a pre-loaded connection. In some embodiments, a surgical tool is provided for rotating the locking-cap module into the engaged position.