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.

A system for use during a surgical procedure includes a control unit configured to obtain a horizontal pelvic line (HPL) and a central sacral vertical line (CSVL); obtain a horizontal shoulder line (HSL) and an orthogonal midline (OM); compare the HPL and the CSVL with the HSL and the OM; determine an angle between the HPL and the HSL; and convert the angle to a patient position.

A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a shank, a receiver with an open channel in communication with a central bore, and a pressure insert with an upwardly-facing seating surface for receiving an elongate rod. The receiver bore includes a downwardly-facing surface below a closure top mating feature and one or more integral structures protruding inwardly toward a central longitudinal axis. The insert includes one or more notches formed into an outer side surface and an upwardly-facing surface positioned radially outward from the seating surface. Upon installation into the receiver bore, the insert is rotatable about the longitudinal axis until the insert upwardly-facing surface is rotated under the receiver downwardly-facing surface to inhibit upward movement of the insert within the receiver bore along the longitudinal axis and the receiver inwardly-protruding structures become positioned within the insert outer notches to prevent further rotation of the insert within the receiver bore.

An improved dynamic longitudinal connecting member includes a rod portion joined with a tensioned cord portion, for use in a medical implant assembly having at least two bone attachment structures, a spacer covering the join of the rod and cord portions and extending between the at least two bone attachment structures, a sleeve, a bumper and a cord blocker. The spacer and bumper are compressed. The cord portion is slidable with respect to at least one of the bone attachment members.

A vertebral support device (1) is disclosed, which in various embodiments comprises at least two osseous anchoring implants (2), each designed to be anchored to a vertebra, and at least one linking element (3) fixed to the osseous anchoring implants (2) by fasteners (20) that maintain a fixed angle between the longitudinal axis (L) of the linking element (3) passing through rigid elements (34) of the linking element (3) and the insertion axis (DV) of the implants (2). The linking element (3) includes at least one elastic dampening element (31) that that allows the implant-bearing vertebrae some freedom of movement. The dampening element (31) accommodates the stresses imposed on the linking element (3) during movement of the vertebrae and tends to return the support device (1) to its normal configuration.

A pivotal bone anchor assembly for securing an elongate rod to a bone of a patient. The assembly includes a receiver having pair of upright arms that define an open channel configured to receive the elongate rod and a discontinuous helically wound receiver guide and advancement structure formed into the interior surfaces of the upright arms. The assembly further includes a closure configured for positioning within the open channel to secure the elongate rod to the receiver in a locked configuration, with the closure having an outer surface with a mating continuous helically wound closure guide and advancement structure configured to resist a tendency toward splaying between the upright arms upon a screwing in of the closure within the open channel by rotatable engagement with the receiver guide and advancement structure.

A system for use during a surgical procedure includes a control unit configured to obtain a horizontal pelvic line (HPL) and a central sacral vertical line (CSVL); obtain a horizontal shoulder line (HSL) and an orthogonal midline (OM); compare the HPL and the CSVL with the HSL and the OM; determine an angle between the HPL and the HSL; and convert the angle to a patient position.

Devices, methods and systems for stabilizing at least a portion of the spinal column are provided. Devices include anchors and coupling members for engaging an elongate member. Systems include an elongate member sized to span a distance between at least two vertebral bodies and being at least partially formed of a flexible material. A number of anchors and coupling members are used to secure the elongate member to each of the vertebral bodies. The anchors can be compressed towards one another and the elongate member secured thereto and/or the elongate member can be tensioned to provide corrective forces to the spine.

The present invention relates to a connection element for a spine stabilization system which comprises a first end for fixing to a first bone fixation device, a second end for fixing to a second bone fixation device and an intermediate portion arranged or formed between the two ends and defining a longitudinal axis. At least one of the two ends takes the form of a coupling element for fixing the connection element to a bone fixation device in at least one defined orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. The coupling element has a shape other than a circular cylinder.

In one embodiment, a spinal stabilization apparatus includes a vertebral anchor having a head portion and a bone attachment portion. An elongate, flexible guide is removably coupled to the head portion of the vertebral anchor and has a channel extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with a slot in the head portion of the anchor. An elongate cord may be received within the channel to facilitate inserting and securing a spacer between pairs of anchors installed into adjacent vertebrae of a person's spine.