Patent ID: 9345519
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A pedicle screw, comprising in combination: a tip opposite a head, with a plurality of bone-engaging threads extending along a portion of the screw between said tip and said head; a tulip head having a rigid generally cylindrical hollow form with open ends, said tulip head including a slot formed along a centerline of a cylindrical contour of said tulip head, said tulip head including threads on an interior surface thereof, said open end of said tulip head at a first end sized large enough to allow both said threaded shaft and said head to pass therethrough and with a second end opposite said first end open and sized to allow said tip and said threads of the screw to pass therethrough, but to not allow said head of the screw to pass therethrough; a saddle adapted to reside within said interior of said tulip head, said saddle adapted to abut said head of the screw; a locking nut adapted to thread within said interior of said tulip head and apply a compression force against said spine rod toward said saddle, at least indirectly; wherein a locking cap is interposed between said nut and the rod, said locking cap including a semi-cylindrical slot on a side of said cap opposite said nut, said locking cap having a semi-spherical outer contour surrounding a substantially flat top wall; and said locking cap having a tab extending laterally therefrom and slidingly fit within a groove extending axially within said interior surface of said tulip head.