Patent ID: 9480517
Filing Date: 2016-11-01
CPC Classification: A61B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. In a polyaxial pedicle screw including a shank having a body for fixation to a bone and an integral upper portion, an U-shaped receiver having a top portion and an integral base, the receiver top portion defining an open rod-receiving channel, the base defining a cavity communicating with a bottom opening, the upper portion of the shank positionable within the cavity, and the channel communicating with the cavity, the improvement comprising: a) a retainer positioned within the cavity prior to the shank being loaded and capturing the shank upper portion once loaded, the retainer being in a non-pivotal relationship with respect to the receiver; and wherein b) the retainer further includes a cut-out surface being sized and shaped to provide for increased polyaxial motion in at least one direction for the shank with respect to the receiver.