Patent ID: 9549763
Date: 2017-01-24
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method of installing an orthopedic fixation device comprising: inserting a locking clamp assembly into a bore in a coupling element, wherein the locking clamp assembly comprises a wedge element and a clamp element secured to the wedge element; moving the locking clamp assembly through the bore in the coupling element until a recessed surface on the wedge element engages a protuberance on an interior surface of the coupling element to secure the locking clamp assembly in the coupling element; inserting a head of a bone fastener into the clamp element such that the clamp element engages the head; and moving the wedge element downward past the protuberance on the interior surface of the coupling element such that exterior surfaces of the clamp element engage the interior surface of the coupling element forcing the clamp element to clamp onto the head of the bone fastener to secure the bone fastener in the coupling element, wherein the wedge element comprises downwardly extending tabs configured to be received in corresponding slots in the head of the bone fastener.