Patent ID: 9283004
Filing Date: 2016-03-15
CPC Classification: A61B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method of constructing an implantable orthopedic assembly comprising an occipital plate, at least one rail rigidly coupled to and extending laterally from the occipital plate, and at least one repositionable rod attachment assembly enclosing a portion of the at least one rail, the at least one repositionable rod attachment assembly adapted for securing a received portion of a stabilizing rod, the method comprising: positioning a pressure cap of the repositionable rod attachment assembly within a receptacle of a saddle body of the at least one repositionable rod attachment assembly, the pressure cap having a rod contacting surface at a first side and an outwardly extending flange at a second side distal to the first side; positioning a surface of the at least one rail against a surface of a slide body of the at least one repositionable rod attachment assembly; installing a retention ring in inside the slide body; positioning a loading component between the pressure cap and the saddle body of the at least one repositionable rod attachment assembly such that the loading component is in contact with the outwardly extending flange of the pressure cap, the loading component being adapted to exert a bias on the pressure cap against the at least one rail to stabilize the at least one repositionable rod attachment assembly at an adjustable rail position and in an adjustable body position; uniting the saddle body with the slide body, wherein the at least one rail contacts the pressure cap; and securing the slide body to the saddle body with the retention ring disposed in an outer circumferential recess of the saddle body.