A medical implant assembly having at least two bone attachment structures cooperating with a dynamic longitudinal connecting member, the improvement wherein the connecting member includes: a first end, a transition portion, and a second end; a substantially rod portion extending longitudinally from the first end to the transition portion, and including a longitudinal axis and a substantially rigid core running substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis; a substantially cord portion joined with the rod portion and extending from the transition portion to the second end; and a substantially flexible jacket portion covering the rod and cord portions.

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.

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 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 spinal construct comprises a member extending between a first end and a second end and includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes a plurality of interlaced strands that define a first angle. The second layer includes a plurality of interlaced strands that define a second angle. The first angle is smaller than the second angle. Systems, implants, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a receiver having upright arms defining an channel for receiving an elongate rod and an axial bore extending downward from the channel to a bottom opening, and a shank having an anchor portion and an integral upper portion that is positionable in the axial bore with the shank extending downward through the bottom opening. The upright arms include break-off extensions and outer horizontally extending tool engagement grooves. The assembly further includes an insert positionable within the axial bore and into an overlapping engagement with a downward-facing abutment surface that is configured to inhibit movement of the insert.

A method of assembling a pivotal bone anchor assembly includes positioning a retaining structure into a central bore of a receiver having a planar seating surface above a lower opening, the retaining structure being operably slidably coupled with the planar seating surface and having a central opening, the receiver including upright arms defining an open channel configured to receive a rod and exterior surfaces comprising opposite cylindrical upper side surfaces defining a first width and opposite lower side surfaces below the upper side surfaces defining a second width. The method also includes positioning a partially spherical head of a shank into the central opening of the retaining structure, with the retaining structure being slidably movable along the planar seating surface of the receiver to provide for increased articulated movement between the shank and the receiver in at least one direction relative to a vertical centerline axis of the receiver prior to locking the assembly with a closure.

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. The transition portion includes a rigid length or rod having apertures therein and a molded plastic length that extends through the apertures, thus attaching the plastic length to the rigid length. 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.

A spinal rod assembly includes a flexible spinal fusion rod including link members that articulate with one another so that the rod is formable into a curved orientation. A locking mechanism is coupled to the link members and can lock the link members so that the rod is maintained in the curved orientation.

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.