A method of assembling a pivotal bone screw assembly includes applying tooling to a receiver assembly comprising a receiver with a channel for receiving a rod and a cavity with an interior support surface adjacent a lower opening, a retaining structure located in the cavity and engageable with the interior support surface, and an insert held in a first position above the retaining structure via a first interference engagement between the insert and the receiver. The method further includes uploading a capture portion of a shank through the lower opening until the capture portion is captured by the retaining structure, and then directly contacting the insert with the tooling to drive the insert downward to a second position to establish a biased overlapping engagement between the outer surface of the insert and the interior surface in the receiver that inhibits the insert from moving back up within the receiver to the first position.

The present disclosure generally relates to pedicle screws that can selectively lock polyaxial motion of a receiver head with a locking cap. The locking cap can allow locking of the polyaxial motion of the receiver member relative to the spherical head of the bone shank without having a rod placed in the rod slot of the receiver member. This can enable placement of the head of the pedicle screw in a desired position and orientation, locking the head in the desired position and orientation, and performing a maneuver, such as derotation, without a rod in place or any extra motion between the receiver member and the bone shank. In some embodiments, actuation of the locking cap can be achieved by rotating the locking cap relative to the receiver member, where rotation of the locking cap causes corresponding axial translation of the locking cap relative to the receiver member.

Invention relates to polyaxial spinal screws for correcting and stabilizing a spinal cord by open and minimally invasive technique. The polyaxial spinal screw comprises a screw shaft (10), a coupling (20), a sleeve (30) and a set screw (50). The coupling (20) has a proximal end (202) and a distal end (203). The coupling (20) comprises a spherical cut (21) sized to receive the screw shaft (10). The coupling (20) further comprises two slots (26) for receiving a stabilizing rod (40). The coupling (20) comprises an inner thread (24) where the set screw (50) is threaded. The sleeve (30) has a proximal end (302) closer to the proximal end (202) of the coupling (20) and a distal end (303). The sleeve (30) comprises at least two slots (32) for receiving a stabilizing rod (40) and at least two recesses (33) for fixation of the polyaxial spinal screw by auxiliary tools.

Bottom-loading bone anchor assemblies and components thereof are disclosed that have a reduced profile and can be utilized with bone screws of various size. Bone anchor assemblies of the present disclosure can include a receiver member, a drag retaining ring, and a shank. The retaining ring and shank can be inserted proximally into a bore of the receiver member. The drag ring can have a base and a walled portion extending proximally therefrom. The drag retaining ring can be disposed in a groove of the receiver member with the base forming a seat for the shank head that can hold the shank within the receiver. The walled portion of the drag retaining ring can impart a drag force on the shank head seated in the base to prevent unintended movement between the shank and the receiver member.

Systems, devices, and associated methods for correcting spinal column deformities that help minimize a number of attachment anchors utilized for correction, facilitate use of straight or contoured rods, and/or help promote a more natural, physiologic motion of the spinal column.

A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper portion, a receiver member or head, a retaining and articulating structure, and a pressure insert disposed between the shank upper portion and a rod. The receiver has a U-shaped cradle defining a channel for receiving a spinal fixation rod and a receiver cavity. The retaining and articulating structure attaches to the shank and rotates with the shank in the cavity during positioning. The pressure insert presses upon the shank upper portion and not the retaining and articulating structure.

A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, and a superior implant with a superior articular surface. The implants may be coupled together by a detachable coupler which can align and rigidly hold the inferior and superior articular surfaces in a preferred alignment relative to one another. In one method of implantation, the superior and inferior implants may be aligned and coupled together with the coupler, and then secured to fixation members anchored in adjacent vertebrae. Alternatively, a first implant may be secured to a fixation member anchored in a first vertebra, and a second implant coupled to the coupler, aligned with the first implant and then secured to a fixation member anchored in a second vertebra. A tool may grip, position and/or deliver the coupler and the implants.

A vertebral column correction system for correcting a spinal deformity without fusing the joint segments is disclosed. The vertebral column correction system may have first and second vertebral anchors secured to first and second vertebrae. The vertebral column correction system may further comprise one or more intermediate vertebral anchors secured to vertebrae between the first and second vertebrae. A connection member may be disposed within a head portion of the vertebral anchors. At least a portion of the connection member may be a flexible member, such as a flexible cord, configured for tensioning between at least two vertebral anchors for providing a desired amount of tension to apply a correctional force to the spinal column. A spring member, or other tensioning member, may maintain the tension of the connection member.

An articulating assembly includes a first elongated element for attachment to a first anatomical region, and a second elongated element for attachment to a second anatomical region. In at least one embodiment, a coupling connects the first and second elongated elements. The coupling includes a moveable joint configured to allow polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element. The assembly further includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable in an unlocked condition to permit polyaxial movement of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element, and a locked condition to immobilize the movable joint and fix the position of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element.

An anchor assembly for use in spinal fixation to interconnect a longitudinal spinal rod with a patient's vertebra. The anchor assembly preferably includes a bone anchor, a body with a rod-receiving channel, an insert member (preferably a bushing), and a locking cap. The anchor assembly enables in-situ assembly where the bone anchor may be secured to the patient's vertebra prior to being received within the body of the bone anchor assembly. Accordingly, the anchor assembly enables a surgeon to implant the bone anchor without the body to maximize visibility and access around the anchoring site. Once the bone anchor has been secured to the patient's vertebra, the body may be snapped onto the bone anchor and a spinal rod may be inserted into the rod-receiving channel.