Surgical anchor device with captive fastener

1 . A spinal alignment apparatus comprising:

a flexible cord; and

a plurality of anchor devices for securing the cord to a plurality of vertebrae during a spinal alignment procedure, each of the anchor devices comprising:

a post;

a cord housing fixedly coupled to the post, comprising:

a cord channel extending through the housing, for receiving insertion of the cord therethrough; and

a socket extending through the housing, the socket comprising:

socket threads for receiving a threaded fastener, and

a socket aperture opening into the cord channel; and

a threaded fastener comprising fastener threads mated to the socket threads, wherein the threaded fastener is held captive in the socket;

wherein a countersunk shoulder is located adjacent the soul t aperture, the countersunk shoulder wider than the socket aperture, and the threaded fastener further comprises a flange having a diameter wider than the socket aperture;

whereby, the threaded fastener is threaded into the socket via the socket aperture in the cord channel until the flange of the threaded fastener abuts in parallel contact with the countersunk shoulder to prevent the threaded fastener from being threaded through and out of the top of the socket.

2 . The spinal alignment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the threaded fastener comprises a bottom surface that impinges directly on the cord to hold the cord against an inside wall of the cord channel.

3 . The spinal alignment apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the bottom surface of the threaded fastener is substantially rounded.

4 . The spinal alignment apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the bottom surface of the threaded fastener is substantially rough.

5 . The spinal alignment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cord channel comprises a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion comprise surfaces that are outwardly flared,

whereby the outwardly flared surfaces enable the cord to bend and flex where the cord enters and exits the cord channel without undue wear on the cord.

6 . The spinal alignment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cord channel comprises a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, wherein the middle portion of the cord channel comprises a non-smooth surface suitable for gripping the cord when inserted therewithin.

7 . The spinal alignment apparatus of claim 6 wherein the non-smooth surface of the cord channel comprises a plurality of ribs extending substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cord is placed within the channel,

whereby a locally compressive force is imparted on the cord so that the cord is held securely in place when the threaded fastener is tightened against the cord, the cord is urged against the plurality of ribs, and thus the cord is prevented from being pulled in either direction in the event there are forces on the cord imparted during use.

8 . The spinal alignment apparatus of claim 6 wherein the non-smooth surface of the cord channel comprises a void,

whereby a locally compressive force is imparted on the cord placed within the cord channel so that the cord at least partially deflects into the void and is held securely in place when a threaded fastener is tightened against the cord, and the cord is prevented from being pulled in either direction in the event there are forces on the cord imparted during use.

9 . The spinal alignment apparatus of claim 6 wherein the non-smooth surface of the cord channel comprises a protrusion, whereby a locally compressive force is imparted on the cord placed within the channel so that the cord is held securely in place when the threaded fastener is tightened against the cord, the cord is urged against the protrusion, and the cord is prevented from being pulled in either direction in the event there are forces on the cord imparted during use.