A tool set for implanting bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a rod into the bone screws includes end guide tools having flexible back wall flaps that receive opposite ends of the rod and intermediate guide tools that hold the rod in intermediate locations between the end guide tools. Both the end and intermediate guide tools include an attachment structure for operably connecting the guide tool to a bone screw. The attachment structure includes an undercut and/or recess so as to resist splaying and separation of the guide tool from an attached bone screw.

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a flexible bone fixation device including two first fixation parts and a first flexible spanning part, connected between the two first fixation parts. The first flexible spanning part has a plurality of first cuts spaced apart by one another.

A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.

An insert for convertibly anchoring an artificial ligament tether in a tulip of a spinal fixation construct. A prior art tulip has a socket with opposite end openings and configured in size and shape to receive a spinal longitudinal support rod. A tulip also has a clamping screw threadedly engaged to the tulip to clamp a support rod in the socket. The invention is an insert body having an exterior configured to conformingly seat against a surface of the tulip socket and also having a passageway extending entirely through the insert body in a direction to extend between the end openings of the tulip. A surgeon inserts a tether through the passageway and rotates the clamping screw to translate the clamping screw against the insert body. Rotation of the clamping screw clamps the tether to the insert body and clamps the insert body to the tulip.

A method for surgically preparing a spinal fixation construct that includes a first support rod and a tulip with a socket shaped to receive a second support rod. A tether anchor is installed in the tulip socket and a tether is fixed to the tether anchor and to a vertebra. In a subsequent revision surgery, the tether and the tether anchor are removed. Then a second support rod is installed in the socket of the tulip. Preferably, before installing the tether anchor, a first end of a rod-to-rod connector is connected to the first support rod. The second, opposite end of the rod-to-rod connector has the tulip socket formed on it to which the tether anchor is initially installed. In the subsequent revision surgery, after removal of the tether anchor, the second support rod is installed in the socket of the tulip on the rod-to-rod connector.

Spinal curvature modulation systems, methods and related devices and instrumentation are disclosed, which include a flexible tether, a tether tensioning unit and bone anchors for the flexible tether that allow the tether to be secured across multiple vertebrae in a region of treatment. When the flexible tether is attached to multiple vertebrae, it can be used to correct spinal deformities. Tension in the flexible tether is adjustable transcutaneously without invasive surgical procedures by use of remotely driven actuators, such as a magnet-driven motor, or by a small tool insertable through a small incision. Disclosed systems and methods thus allow for multiple adjustments of tether tension, and spinal curvature, over time without repeated, highly invasive, spinal surgeries.

A stabilization device for bones or vertebrae includes a rod having a rod axis and a plurality of distinct external surfaces that extend parallel to the rod axis, such that for a cross-section of the rod, the distinct external surfaces are arranged at respective angles relative to one another around the rod axis, a bone anchoring device including a receiving part having a channel for receiving the rod and a contact surface for supporting the rod, and a fixation member with a contact surface for fixing the rod in the channel. When the rod is fixed in the channel with the fixation member, the contact surfaces of the receiving part and the fixation member together form surface portions that are shaped to correspond to at least three of the distinct external surfaces, such that the rod is clamped along the at least three distinct external surfaces.

A tool set for implanting bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws includes a pair of independently mountable and manipulatable elongate guide tools that form a unitary tool guide when desired. Each guide tool includes attachment structure for independent operable connection of the guide tool to an arm of the bone screw. The bone screw/guide tool attachment includes an undercut and/or recess so as to resist separation of the guide tool member from an attached bone screw. Further tools include a removable stabilizer, a cooperating bone screw driver with an attached stabilizer, a closure starter/reduction tool, a closure driver and a counter torque tool.

Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.