# US 11,439,438 B2 · Spinal implant system and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,438 B2 - Document ID: US11439438B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/063,979 - Filed: 2020-10-06 - Published: 2021-01-21 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-12 - Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Applicants: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc. - Inventors: Jason M. May - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439438B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7037: {wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped} - A61B 17/70: Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant - A61B 17/7035: {Screws or hooks, wherein a rod-clamping part and a bone-anchoring part can pivot relative to each other} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method of assembly for a bone fastener is provided. The method includes the steps of: engaging a retainer with an implant receiver in a relatively fixed position; translating the retainer relative to the implant receiver to an expandable orientation; and manually engaging a screw shaft with the retainer to connect the implant receiver with the screw shaft. Implants, systems and instruments are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of assembly for a bone fastener, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a collet with a crown and disposing the collet with an inner surface of an implant receiver such that the collet is threaded with the inner surface; disposing the collet in a relatively fixed position with the implant receiver and a non-expandable orientation; translating the collet relative to the implant receiver to an expandable orientation; and manually engaging a screw shaft with the collet to connect the implant receiver with the screw shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising translating the collet relative to the implant receiver to a non-expandable orientation to comprise a bone fastener. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the collet is simultaneously rotatable with the crown. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the screw shaft is manually engaged with the collet in a non-instrumented assembly of the screw shaft and the collet to connect the implant receiver with the screw shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the collet comprises a circumferential sleeve, the sleeve defining spaced apart slots, the slots each extending through a wall of the sleeve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the collet comprises a circumferential sleeve, the sleeve defining three spaced apart slots, the slots each extending through a wall of the sleeve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the collet is translatable relative to the implant receiver between the expandable orientation and the non-expandable orientation such that the screw shaft is fixed with the implant receiver. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the crown includes spaced apart circumferential outer flanges, the outer flanges engaging the collet as the collet translates relative to the implant receiver. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the crown includes at least one mating element that is configured to interface with a surgical instrument for rotation of the crown. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the collet is configured to be translated by engaging the crown with a surgical instrument prior and translating the surgical instrument. ### Claim 11 A method of assembly for a bone fastener, the method comprising the steps of: releasably locking a collet with an inner surface of an implant receiver in a closed position, the collet being threaded with the inner surface; translating the collet relative to the implant receiver to an open position; and manually engaging a screw shaft with the collet to connect the implant receiver with the screw shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of translating the collet with the screw shaft relative to the implant receiver to a closed position in a non-expandable orientation to comprise a bone fastener. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the collet is connected with a crown disposed with the implant receiver. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the screw shaft is manually engaged with the collet in a non-instrumented assembly of the screw shaft and the collet to connect the implant receiver with the screw shaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the collet comprises a circumferential sleeve, the sleeve defining spaced apart slots, the slots each extending through a wall of the sleeve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the collet comprises a circumferential sleeve, the sleeve defining three spaced apart slots, the slots each extending through a wall of the sleeve. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the collet is translatable relative to the implant receiver between an expandable orientation and a non-expandable orientation such that the screw shaft is fixed with the implant receiver. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising connecting the collet with a crown before translating the collet relative to the implant receiver. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the crown includes spaced apart circumferential outer flanges, the outer flanges engaging the collet as the collet translates relative to the implant receiver. ### Claim 20 A method of assembly for a bone fastener, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a collet with a crown and disposing the collet with an inner surface of an implant receiver such that the collet is threaded with the inner surface, the collet comprising a circumferential sleeve, the sleeve defining spaced apart slots, the slots each extending through a wall of the sleeve; disposing the collet in a relatively fixed position with the implant receiver and a non-expandable orientation; translating the collet relative to the implant receiver to an expandable orientation, the crown including spaced apart circumferential outer flanges, the outer flanges engaging the collet as the collet translates relative to the implant receiver; and manually engaging a screw shaft with the collet to connect the implant receiver with the screw shaft.