A universal pair of pedicle screw-mounted retractor blades and locking shims configured for mounting over and locking onto the tower or extended top threaded post of a pair of adjacent pedicle screws pre-positioned in adjacent vertebrae. Each cylindrical retractor blade body has a proximal flange with an inverted post extending distally, configured for attachment to a handle or arm of a ratcheting retractor. The L-shaped locking shim is removably positioned along a grooved slot within the retractor blade body and temporarily locked into place within the tulip portion of the pedicle screw using a set screw.

A method of assembling a surgical construct includes installing a fastener within a bone of a patient. A connector rod is positioned on the fastener and an interference or press fit is created between the fastener and the rod, with very little effort required on the surgeon's part. No additional steps are necessary or desirable; the surgeon can simply position the rod over the fastener, and very quickly and accurately couple the two one to another. A securing device can be used to couple the fastener and the rod, and a different device can be used to uncouple the fastener from the rod. The securing device engages the fastener and the rod, and pushes the rod over the fastener as the surgeon activates the gripping mechanism.

A minimally invasive system for retraction, compression and distraction includes a tap having a shaft with threads and a head, a blade having a proximal end and a distal end and a base removably mountable to the proximal end. The tap is configured to form screw threads in a bone. The distal end is mountable to the head. The blade is pivotable relative to the head in a mounted configuration. The blade is configured to facilitate soft tissue retraction in the mounted configuration. The base is configured to manipulate the blade to retract and compress segments of the bone. The base is configured to provide distraction and/or compression using the provisional taps either directly or through the use of blades, insertion devices or tubes. The blades may be used to retract tissue and provide a visual field either independent or in conjunction with the provisional taps, insertion devices or tubes.

A method includes providing first and second instruments. First and second fasteners are attached with vertebrae. First fasteners are connected with first and second constructs. Second fasteners are connected with a third and fourth constructs. The first construct is connected with a body of the first instrument and the second construct is connected with another body of the first instrument. The third construct is connected with a body of the second instrument and the fourth construct is connected with another body of the second instrument. Joints of the instruments are tightened. At least one of the instruments is selectively distracted. At least one of the instruments is selectively compressed. The spinal constructs are removed from the fasteners. The first fasteners are connected with a first spinal rod. The second fasteners are connected with a second spinal rod. In some embodiments, spinal constructs, implants, systems and kits are disclosed.

The present invention includes a pedicle screw made with a bone fastener and a rod coupling head, the rod coupling head comprising an upper rod coupling: the lower rod coupling having a lateral rod opening adapted to receive a permanent rod; an angled bore extends into the lateral rod opening; and a permanent rod fastener in the angled bore to engage a permanent rod in the lateral rod opening; and a upper rod coupling having an upper rod opening adapted to receive a temporary rod, wherein the upper rod opening is formed to receive a temporary rod fastener; wherein the upper rod coupling is detachable from the lower rod coupling at a transition and a temporary rod is temporarily affixed into the upper rod opening during a bone realignment and a permanent rod is positioned in the lateral rod opening and engaged by the permanent rod fastener upon final bone alignment.

A spinal rod connector includes first and second arm assemblies and a fastener. The first arm assembly includes a first base portion and a first head portion defining a first slot configured to receive a first spinal rod. The first base portion includes a hook and an extension member including a housing. The second arm assembly is adjustable with respect to the first arm assembly. The second arm assembly includes a second base portion including a hook, a second head portion defining a second slot configured to receive a second spinal rod, and an elongate member extending from the second base portion. The elongate member is configured to be received in the housing of the first arm assembly. The elongate member is rotatable about an axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the housing. The fastener is configured to be received in the housing to secure the elongate member.

An osteotomy instrument for compression and/or distraction spinal procedures includes a first leg and a second leg pivotally attached to the first leg. The first leg and the second leg each include a proximal portion, a distal portion with a distal end and a pocket extending within the distal end towards the proximal portion. The distal portion of each leg is configured to rotatably engage a bearing attached to a spine of a patient. The pocket may be generally hemispherical with an inner surface configured to engage the bearing and form a ball-in-socket joint with the bearing.

The present invention includes a pedicle screw made with a bone fastener and a rod coupling head, the rod coupling head comprising an upper rod coupling: the lower rod coupling having a lateral rod opening adapted to receive a permanent rod; an angled bore extends into the lateral rod opening; and a permanent rod fastener in the angled bore to engage a permanent rod in the lateral rod opening; and a upper rod coupling having an upper rod opening adapted to receive a temporary rod, wherein the upper rod opening is formed to receive a temporary rod fastener; wherein the upper rod coupling is detachable from the lower rod coupling at a transition and a temporary rod is temporarily affixed into the upper rod opening during a bone realignment and a permanent rod is positioned in the lateral rod opening and engaged by the permanent rod fastener upon final bone alignment.

Described herein are devices and methods for fusion of adjacent vertebral bones of a subject using distractor platforms for the exposure and resection of at least a portion of the facet joint, such as in performance of a TLIF procedure. In one embodiment, the distractor platform contains at least a first receptacle and/or extension that are adapted to couple to the implanted screw/bone marker and the method includes advancing a first threaded segment of a first bone fastener assembly into the identified first pedicle of the first vertebral bone, wherein the first bone fastener assembly further comprises a second segment that is adapted to couple with a distraction platform adapted to concurrently attach onto at least one tissue retention blade and is adapted to retain the tissue retention blade in the displaced position.

An instrument for locking and unlocking a head of a bone anchor relative to a receiving part of a polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a tube assembly with an inner tube and an outer tube at least partially around the inner tube, and an actuator assembly including an actuating mechanism movable from a first orientation to a second orientation to displace the inner tube and the outer tube relative to one another between a first axial position configured to unlock the bone anchoring device such that the head is pivotable relative to the receiving part, and a second axial position configured to lock the head. The actuator assembly is adjustable between a first configuration where the tube assembly assumes the first axial position when the actuating mechanism is moved, and a second configuration where the tube assembly assumes the second axial position when the actuating mechanism is moved.