Tool system for dynamic spinal implants

Abstract

A tool set for implanting bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws includes a pair of independently mountable and manipulatable elongate guide tools that form a unitary tool guide when desired. Each guide tool includes attachment structure for independent operable connection of the guide tool to an arm of the bone screw. The bone screw/guide tool attachment includes an undercut and/or recess so as to resist separation of the guide tool member from an attached bone screw. Further tools include a removable stabilizer, a cooperating bone screw driver with an attached stabilizer, a closure starter/reduction tool, a closure driver and a counter torque tool.

1 . An implant assembly comprising:
 (a) a receiver for a bone anchor including:
 (1) a pair of laterally spaced upstanding arms forming a rod-receiving channel therebetween; 
 (2) each arm having an outwardly facing tool attachment structure thereon, each outwardly facing tool attachment structure including:
 (i) a horizontally extending groove which forms a downwardly facing surface, the groove located near a top of its respective arm of the receiver; and 
 (ii) each of the grooves extending along an outer surface of the receiver from a front surface to a back surface of its respective arm of the receiver; and 
 
   (b) a tool for releasably holding the receiver including:
 (1) a pair of discrete elongated members being spaced apart from each other from a top end thereof to a bottom end thereof to form a through channel therebetween, the through channel extending an entire length of the tool, and each elongated member is free from contact with respect to one another and independently manipulatable with respect to one another; 
 (2) each elongated member is independently attachable to each receiver arm and each elongated member having an inward facing receiver attachment structure thereon positioned near a lower portion thereof for vertically slidable mating engagement with each receiver arm tool attachment structure; and wherein 
 (3) each elongated member receiver attachment structure completely covers the outwardly facing tool attachment structure on each receiver arm.