A bone anchoring element comprising a shaft (2) for anchoring in a bone, with a plurality of barb elements (7) arranged in at least one helical line around the shaft axis (M) is described, wherein said barb elements are elastically movable relative to the shaft. The bone anchoring element (1) is easy to press into a core hole bore in a bone. The barb elements (7) act in a similar manner as do the threads on a conventional bone screw and thus provide for depth positioning. Moreover, the barb elements at the same time secure the bone anchoring element and prevent it from sliding-out.

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.

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 guiding device for fixing flexible blades of spinal implants, which includes a guide device for transfixing flexible blades (1) that constitute the platforms (13) and (14), which have a box-shaped side, where the set of flexible blades (3) crosses and slides, and the other side has a hole (16) for its fixation to the double intermediate connector (5), which bears a pedicle screw (7); said set of flexible blades (3) being formed by two blades (4), overlapped, provided with longitudinal openings (9), through which they are joined by means of a fixing device (11), which allow them to slide over each other.

In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

The present invention provides for a bone fixation device, an implantation instrument, and system which are useful in bone fixation surgeries. The bone fixation device of the instant invention allows the surgeon the ability to navigate the rod while being inserted into a pedicle screw assembly through a non-linear pathway by incrementally changing the direction of travel as desired.

Methods of correcting a spinal deformity, including securing a first rod on a first side of a spine, securing an anchor on a second side of a spine, securing a lateral coupling between the rod and the anchor, translating and/or derotating the spine and securing a second rod on a second side of the spine to provide secondary stabilization to the spine.

A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.

The present application is directed to various spinal stabilization systems. The systems can include one or more guiding elements attached to screw members to assist in guiding rod implants and tools to desired locations within a patient. The guiding elements can include a plurality of wires, blades, or tabs. The guiding elements can be capable of criss-crossing or intersecting at or near an incision, such that only a single incision may be needed to perform a surgery. The guiding elements can also include telescoping features that allow the height of the guiding elements to be adjusted in use, thereby allowing multiple telescoping guiding elements to be used with the same incision.

Systems and methods for fusing vertebrae and systems and methods for repairing a bone defect employ a fixation assembly and current delivered to the fixation assembly to electrically stimulate osteogenesis in tissue surrounding the fixation assembly. An implantable system for fusing vertebrae includes a fixation assembly and an implantable stimulation unit. The fixation assembly includes an elongated rod configured to accommodate bone ingrowth. The fixation assembly is configured to structurally couple at least two of the two or more vertebrae via the elongated rod. The implantable stimulation unit is configured to supply electrical current to the elongated rod to promote bone ingrowth into the elongated rod.