A spinal distraction system including a bearing connector fastened to a fixated rod and a sliding rod, wherein the sliding rod includes a spring and a stop ring is disclosed. A method of distracting vertebrae is also disclosed.

Embodiments include a system that facilitates placement of a rod through receiving portions of screws placed along the spine. The system includes a rod and a cable detachably connectable to the rod to pull the rod through the receiving portions of the screws. Some embodiments include methods and devices for inserting a rod into a plurality of screws and for ex situ templating of a rod. These can include connecting a cable to a rod, inserting the cable through the plurality of screws, and using the cable to pull the rod into position. The methods of ex situ templating of the rod can include contacting a templating member to each of the screws so that a portion of the templating members replicate the relative positioning of the screws and shaping a rod to match the relative positioning of the portion of the templating members.

A bone attachment assembly may include an attachment head, a set screw configured to attach to the attachment head, and a rod surface with a first raised portion and a second raised portion that define a lowered portion positioned between the first raised portion and the second raised portion. The first raised portion, the second raised portion, and the set screw may be configured to directly contact a rod in order to retain the rod within the attachment head.

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.

A pivotal bone anchor assembly configured for independent positional locking with tooling prior to securing an elongate rod to patient bone with a closure. The assembly includes a bone anchor having a capture portion and a body portion for fixation to patient bone. The assembly also includes a receiving member having an upper portion for receiving the elongate rod and a lower portion for receiving the capture portion, with the bone anchor having pivotal movement with respect to the receiving member. The assembly further includes a locking member in non-threaded engagement with the receiving member and configured for vertical displacement by the tooling into a locked configuration, so as to lock an angular position of the bone anchor relative to the receiving member. The locking member is also releasable by the tooling to re-establish the pivotal movement of the bone anchor with respect to the receiving member.

A spinal distraction system including a bearing connector fastened to a fixated rod and a sliding rod, wherein the sliding rod includes a spring and a stop ring is disclosed. A method of distracting vertebrae is also disclosed.

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.

The present invention is directed at a polyaxial pedicle screw comprising a detachable polyaxial head and bone screw. The detachable polyaxial head may comprise a tulip head, a collet with one or more connectors (e.g., pins) to secure it, and a spherical locking member which may lock onto the bone screw.

A spinal implant including a body having an insert received within a bottom portion of the body, the insert receiving a bone screw at a bottom portion for attachment to a spine, a rod assembly received within a rod slot on a side portion of the body wherein the rod slot does not extend through a top surface of the body, and a locking nut received within a top portion of the body and interlocking with a top portion of the insert. Spinal implant assembly, including multiple spinal implants interconnected through rod assemblies. Method of using a spinal implant by inserting spinal implant at bone structure of a spine, tightening the locking nut, drawing the body upwards, compressing the insert against the bone screw head, and contacting a lower surface of locking nut and rod assembly and compressing rod assembly against the insert, thus locking rod assembly and bone screw.

A bone attachment assembly may include an attachment head, a set screw configured to attach to the attachment head, and a rod surface with a first raised portion and a second raised portion that define a lowered portion positioned between the first raised portion and the second raised portion. The first raised portion, the second raised portion, and the set screw may be configured to directly contact a rod in order to retain the rod within the attachment head.