A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having at least one transition portion and cooperating outer sleeve, both the transition portion and sleeve being disposed between the two bone anchors. In a first embodiment, the transition portion includes a rigid length or rod having apertures therein for tying or otherwise attaching the rigid length to a second rigid length or to a flexible cord. Slender ties or cords extend through a plurality of apertures in the rigid lengths or are threaded, tied or plaited to the larger flexible cord or cable. In a second embodiment, a transition portion includes slender ties of a cord that are imbedded in a molded plastic of a more rigid member. The outer sleeve may include compression grooves. The sleeve surrounds the transition portion and extends between the pair of bone anchors, the sleeve being compressible in a longitudinal direction between the bone anchors.

Fixation systems including a member, a first attachment portion, a second attachment portion, and an intermediate portion. The first attachment portion is attached at a superior end of the member and includes a first opening. The second attachment portion is attached at an inferior end of the member and includes a second opening. The intermediate portion connects the first and second attachment portions. The fixation systems may also include a relief in at least one of the first opening and the second opening. Surgical methods for inserting the fixation systems in a patient are also disclosed.

A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones. In an exemplary embodiment, a coil spring or elastic member is positioned around a piston, and together act to transfer load around a joint during a portion of its range of motion.

A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

An implant for the stabilization of bones or vertebrae is provided, the implant being a solid body including a longitudinal axis that defines a longitudinal direction and including a flexible section that has a surface and has a length in the longitudinal direction, the flexible section including at least one cavity located near the surface and having a width in the longitudinal direction that is smaller than the length of the flexible section, the at least one cavity being connected to the surface through at least one slit, and a width of the slit in the longitudinal direction being smaller than the width of the cavity.

The present disclosure provides a fastener that has a body that has an axis. The body comprises a head portion and at least one body portion projecting from the head portion. The at least one body portion has an actuating surface portion and is arranged such that at least a part of the at least one body portion is urged away from the axis when an actuating member is received along the axis and urges against the actuating surface portion. The at least one body portion has a substantially flat surface portion facing away from the axis.

A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

A spinal stabilization system and method are provided for treating a patient's spinal column, for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column, and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes an interlaminar member positioned in the space intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar member is operatively connected to an adjustable support structure and cooperates therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column.

This disclosure provides a system for securing a bone to a rod, the system comprising a ligature, a body, and two fasteners. The ligature has two free ends and an intermediate portion therebetween, the intermediate portion being configured to engage a bone. A portion of a rod can be fastened to the body using one of the fasteners. The ligature can be fastened to the body using another one of the fasteners. The two fasteners are distinct from one another and are adapted to fasten two free end portions of the ligature to the body independently from fastening the portion of the rod to the body.

A receiver assembly for securing an elongate rod to a bone anchor includes a receiver having a channel configured to receive the elongate rod and a helically wound receiver guide and advancement structure formed into interior surfaces of the receiver. The receiver assembly further includes a threaded plug configured for positioning within the channel to secure the elongate rod to the receiver in a locked configuration, with the threaded plug having a lower axially protruding portion configured to engage the rod so as to lock the rod in the receiver in the locked configuration.