Screw systems and methods for use in stabilization of bone structures

A bone screw system having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, comprising:

• a rod;
• a seat having a first end and a second end;
• the seat being configured to receive at least a portion of the rod inside the seat such that the rod has a range of motion relative to the seat while in the unlocked configuration;
• a bone screw having a first end and a second end;
• at least a portion of the first end of the bone screw being disposed inside the seat;
• the screw having a range of motion relative to the seat when in the unlocked configuration;
• a lock down mechanism removably disposed inside the seat at the first end of the seat;
• at least a portion of the rod being located between the lock down mechanism and the first end of the screw;
• the lock down mechanism being operable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration such that the rod or the bone screw is locked into position as the lock down mechanism operates from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.

A bone screw system, comprising:

• a rod;
• a bone screw having a first end and a second end;
• a seat having a bottom opening;
• a coupler having a rod receiving portion and a bone screw receiving portion;
• the rod receiving portion of the coupler being configured to connect to the rod;
• and the bone screw receiving portion being configured to house at least a portion of the first end of the bone screw;
• at least a portion of the bone screw being retained in the bone screw receiving portion of the coupler;
• the coupler being retained inside the seat such that the bone screw is connected to the seat via the coupler and such that the bone screw extends through the bottom opening of the seat;
• and
• the rod being connected to the rod receiving portion of the coupler.

A system for housing at least a portion of a bone screw, comprising:

• a seat having a first end and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface;
• at least a portion of the bone screw being retained inside the seat;
• the seat including:
• a top opening at the first end;
• a bottom opening at the second end;
• at least one sidewall extending between the first end and the second end;
• a closure mechanism receiving portion;
• and
• a bone screw receiving portion.

A method for inserting a screw system, comprising the steps of:

• providing a system comprising:
• a bone screw;
• a seat having a first end, a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface;
• at least a portion of the bone screw being retained inside the seat;
• the seat including:
• a top opening at the first end;
• at least one sidewall extending between the first end and the second end;
• and
• a flange formed on the outer surface of the seat such that the flange extends outwardly from the seat;
• the flange having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer surface;
• providing an instrument having a first portion and a second portion both at a distal end of the instrument;
• the first and second portions being controllable at the instrument's proximal end by a user;
• contacting at least a portion of the lower surface of the flange with the first portion of the instrument;
• contacting at least a portion of the upper surface of the flange with the second portion of the instrument;
• advancing the second portion of the instrument to apply a force on the flange;
• the force being biased by the first portion of the instrument to secure the instrument to the seat;
• and
• delivering the system into the patient with the instrument.

A method, comprising:

• providing a system comprising:
• a seat having a first end and a second end, at least one sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, at least one rod channel formed in the sidewall and a top opening at the first end;
• a coupler retained inside the seat;
• the coupler having a rod receiving portion and a screw receiving portion;
• and
• a bone screw retained inside the screw receiving portion of the coupler;
• delivering the system into a patient;
• inserting the bone screw into a bone of the patient;
• providing a rod having a first end and a second end;
• delivering the rod into the patient;
• pivotally connecting the first end of the rod to the rod receiving portion of the coupler;
• pivoting the rod into position;
• providing a closure mechanism;
• and
• delivering the closure mechanism into the patient to close the top opening of the seat.

A bone screw system, comprising:

• a bone screw;
• a seat having a first end and a second end;
• the seat retaining the bone screw inside the seat;
• the seat including:
• at least one sidewall extending between the first end and the second end;
• and
• a top opening at the first end;
• and
• a cap receiving portion in the at least one sidewall;
• the cap receiving portion configured to receive a cap within the seat at the first end;
• the cap receiving portion having at least one wing groove;
• the at least one wing groove having an upper surface;
• a cap being configured to close the top opening of the seat;
• the cap having a top surface and a bottom surface interconnected by an outer surface and an inner surface;
• the inner surface defining a set screw receiving portion;
• the outer surface of the cap defining at least one wing lug extending outwardly from the outer surface of the cap;
• the wing lug being configured to mate with the at least one wing groove of the seat by rotation of the wing lug into the wing groove;
• a set screw having a top surface and a bottom surface interconnected by a threaded outer surface;
• the set screw being configured to be threadingly engaged with the set screw receiving portion of the cap;
• the set screw being inserted into the set screw receiving portion of the cap;
• the cap being removably inserted into the cap receiving portion of the seat closing the top opening;
• with the cap in the seat, the cap being rotated to position the at least one wing lug inside the at least one wing groove;
• the set screw being advanced into the seat;
• set screw advancement being biased by the seat raising the cap such that the at least one wing lug contacts the upper surface of the wing groove, secures the cap to the seat and prevents splaying of the seat sidewall.