A bone anchor implant assembly configured for surgical implantation into a bone of a patient. The bone anchor implant assembly includes an elongate rod, a separate shank and head, and a closure mechanism configured as a one-part closure or two-part closure. The one-part closure and two-part closure are configured to be interchangeable with each other for closing a channel of the head and locking the assembly and the elongate rod between arms of the head with the closure mechanism.

A connector for slidably connecting an anchoring device to a rod in a spinal correction system, comprising a body, a coupling mechanism for coupling the body to the anchoring device, a guiding mechanism arranged to guide the rod in a sliding movement along a longitudinal direction of the rod, wherein said guiding mechanism is further arranged to prevent any movement, with respect to the rod, other than a translation along the longitudinal direction of the rod and a rotation around said longitudinal direction of the rod.

The device for treating early onset scoliosis includes first and second tubes having first and second rods slidably disposed therein. The first tube is adapted for fixation to at least one middle vertebra of a patient's spine such that an open end thereof faces upward and a closed end thereof faces downward. The second tube is also adapted for fixation to at least one middle vertebra such that an open end thereof faces downward and a closed end thereof faces upward. A lower end of the first rod is positioned within the first tube and is resiliently biased. An upper end of the first rod is adapted for fixation to at least one upper vertebra. An upper end of the second rod is positioned within the second tube and is resiliently biased. A lower end of the second rod is adapted for fixation to at least one lower vertebra.

A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a receiver having an axial bore with an internal support surface adjacent a lower opening and a channel configured to receive a fixation rod, as well as a shank having a proximal end portion configured to be pivotally supported by the internal support surface with the shank extending downward through the lower opening. The proximal end portion includes a drive socket engageable by a drive tool, an upwardly-facing planar top surface surrounding and entirely peripheral to the drive socket, and a central bore extending from the drive socket to a distal tip configured to receive a guide wire. The assembly further includes an insert with an upper surface configured to receive the fixation rod and a lower surface configured to transfer a downward force toward the proximal end portion of the shank to lock the assembly, with the planar top surface of the shank remaining spaced apart from the lower surface of the insert so as to not directly receive the downwardly-directed force when the assembly is locked by a closure.

Devices for adjusting or correcting the curvature of a vertebral column are described. One such device comprises a spring and at least three fixation members for attaching the spring to the vertebral column in at least three different locations. Another such device comprises a plurality of springs, each spring for attaching to at least two attachment locations of the vertebral column, and at least three fixation members for attaching the plurality of springs to the attachment locations of the vertebral column such that the plurality of springs are attached longitudinally along a length of the vertebral column. A method of adjusting the curvature of a vertebral column is also described.

A pedicle screw-rod system capable of gradually changing from rigid fixation to non-rigid fixation is provided. The system includes a pedicle screw, a connecting rod, and a screw plug. The connecting rod is used for connecting in series the pedicle screw fixed to adjacent vertebrae on the same side of a spine, and the screw plug is used for locking the connecting rod on the pedicle screw intersecting therewith. At least one of two structural members of the pedicle screw or the connecting rod is connected by a flexible connecting part, and the flexible connecting part is also connected to degradable stoppers for preventing flexible parts from swinging with each other; and with gradual degradation of the degradable stoppers, a fixation manner of the pedicle screw-rod system will be gradually converted from initial rigid fixation into non-rigid fixation.

A pivotal bone anchor multi-part assembly for surgical implantation. The multi-part assembly includes a shank, a head, and a closure mechanism configured as a unitary closure or a two-part closure, each having continuous helically wound guide and advancement structure portions that are each configured to rotatably mate with a discontinuous helically wound guide and advancement structure of the internal surface of the arms of the head so as to be interchangeable for closing the channel and locking the rod between the arms.

A hinged bone screw and tool set is used for implanting such bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws. The hinged bone screw includes a shank with an upper portion and a receiver with integral arms forming a U-shaped channel. A lower curved seat partially defining the U-shaped channel cooperates with an upper portion of the bone screw shank for hinged movement of the shank with respect to the receiver. The tool set includes an insertion tool, a bone screw driver, a reduction tool and a closure starter. The insertion tool includes a bone screw attachment structure and a laterally opening channel. The insertion tool further includes a threaded portion for cooperation with the reduction tool to provide synchronized placement of a closure structure in the bone screw receiver while reducing and capturing a longitudinal connecting member within the receiver. Further alternative bone screws are hinged, polyaxial or fixed and include lordosing or kyphosing lateral surfaces.

A hinged bone screw and tool set is used for implanting such bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws. The hinged bone screw includes a shank with an upper portion and a receiver with integral arms forming a U-shaped channel. A lower curved seat partially defining the U-shaped channel cooperates with an upper portion of the bone screw shank for hinged movement of the shank with respect to the receiver. The tool set includes an insertion tool, a bone screw driver, a reduction tool and a closure starter. The insertion tool includes a bone screw attachment structure and a laterally opening channel. The insertion tool further includes a threaded portion for cooperation with the reduction tool to provide synchronized placement of a closure structure in the bone screw receiver while reducing and capturing a longitudinal connecting member within the receiver. Further alternative bone screws are hinged, polyaxial or fixed and include lordosing or kyphosing lateral surfaces.

A pivotal bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper capture structure and a head. The head has a U-shaped cradle defining a channel for receiving a spinal fixation rod.