Patent ID: 11911077
Assignee: K2M, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 16:
17. A method of performing spinal surgery, comprising:
coupling a first connector assembly to a first bone anchor, wherein the first connector assembly includes a first mount, a first screw, and a first nut comprising a first drive portion, a first taper portion extending from the first drive portion, and a first skirt that extends distally from the first tapered portion, wherein the first tapered portion has a maximum diameter corresponding to a maximum diameter of the first drive portion, wherein the first drive portion has a substantially uniform diameter from an upper most end of the first drive portion to the first taper portion;
coupling a second connector assembly to a second bone anchor;
coupling a cross member assembly to the first and second connector assemblies,
wherein the cross member assembly includes a first ring on a first end portion of a cross member and a second ring on a second end portion of the cross member, and
wherein the first and second rings are coupled to the first and second connector assemblies, respectively, to support the cross member between the first and second connector assemblies; and

selectively engaging the first nut with the first ring.