A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae.

A Universal implant-to-bone anchoring system including an anchor having a shaft terminated at one end by a head and one or more tins, generally planar and having two surfaces, portions of which come together at a free edge, and attached to the shaft and angled about a minor radius thereof along an imaginary helix and an inserter operative to be attached to the head of the anchor and having one or more ports operative to accommodate an anchor driving tool.

A device may include an outer sleeve with a hollow interior, and an inner sleeve with a hollow interior to couple axially and slidingly. The outer sleeve may include an outer central body, an outer proximal end part and an outer distal end part integrally connected to one another, and an outer channel extending along the entire outer proximal end part and along a substantial portion of the outer central body. The inner sleeve may include an inner central body, an inner proximal end part and an inner distal end part integrally connected to one another, and an inner channel extending along the entire inner proximal end part and along a substantial part of the inner central body. The inner sleeve may include, in the inner proximal end of the inner sleeve, a lateral engagement element, and an axial engagement element for releasably engaging a surgical screw.

A sterilizable disposable surgical instrument is formed by an implant for bone fusion as well as an implant sleeve surrounding the implant for bone fusion. The implant has a distal implant section, a proximal implant section, and a coupling section with a polygonal cross-section profile between the distal and proximal implant section. The implant sleeve has a protective cap and a handle, which can be connected to one another. A first bore is configured in the protective cap in the longitudinal direction and receives the proximal implant section of the implant. A second bore is configured in the handle running in the longitudinal direction and receives the distal implant section of the implant for bone fusion. A coupling region having a through-opening is configured in the second bore in the handle, into which the coupling section of the implant for bone fusion engages in an integral and force-locking manner.

Stand alone fusion cage assemblies that can be secured to the adjacent vertebral bodies via an in-line approach that is substantially perpendicular to the anterior wall of the stand alone cage (or substantially parallel to the cage insertion direction).

A surgical instrument system and method of use is disclosed. The system includes a bone fixation pin and a surgical instrument configured for use with the bone fixation pin. The surgical instrument includes a sheath extending over the distal end of an elongated shaft and a locking mechanism operable to permit selectively movement of the elongated shaft along the longitudinal axis relative to the sheath.

A system for inserting an anchor member into bone includes a receiving member and an anchor member receivable within the receiving member. The receiving member is elongate along a longitudinal axis and has a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along the longitudinal axis. The receiving member has an internal surface that defines a transmission element. The anchor member includes an engagement element configured to rotatably engage the transmission element such that the transmission element is configured to drive the anchor member in a distal direction relative to the transmission element so as to rotatably decouple the engagement element from the transmission element. The distal direction extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the receiving member and is parallel with the longitudinal axis.

A system for inserting an anchor member into bone includes a receiving member and an anchor member receivable within the receiving member. The receiving member is elongate along a longitudinal axis and has a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along the longitudinal axis. The receiving member has an internal surface that defines a transmission element. The anchor member includes an engagement element configured to rotatably engage the transmission element such that the transmission element is configured to drive the anchor member in a distal direction relative to the transmission element so as to rotatably decouple the engagement element from the transmission element. The distal direction extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the receiving member and is parallel with the longitudinal axis.

A method of assembling a receiver assembly includes aligning an insert with a receiver such that a second channel of the insert is in non-alignment with a first channel of the receiver, followed by loading the insert into a through-space of the receiver that extends between a bottom opening and an upper opening. The through-space includes an internal recess beneath a helically wound guide and advancement structure and an internal ridge projecting inwardly below the internal recess. The insert includes side structures protruding laterally outward and spaced below top surfaces. The method further includes rotating the insert within the through-space of the receiver to align the second channel with the first channel so as to together receive an elongate rod, while also rotating the side structures of the insert into the internal recess of the through-space with the side structures being adjacent to and above the internal ridge.

A bone fastener includes a head, and a screw portion extends from the head. The screw portion includes a shaft and a thread extending along and about the shaft. The thread has a height extending from a root to a tip thereof. The thread also has first and second portions disposed between the root and the tip. The second portion has a porous structure configured to promote bone ingrowth and has a porosity greater than that of the first portion.