Patent ID: 9649133
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method of implanting a surgical screw assembly, comprising: inserting a first shank of a first fixation component through a first opening in a central body, the first opening sized to accommodate the first shank, the first opening having a smaller diameter than a generally spherical head of the first fixation component; connecting the first shank of the first fixation component to a first location of a patient's spine; inserting a second fixation component through a second opening in the central body, the second opening sized to accommodate a second shank of the second fixation component, the second opening including an internally threaded portion for engaging with an externally threaded portion of the second shank; connecting the second shank of the second fixation component to a second location of the patient's spine; wherein the central body further includes an insert having an upper surface for accommodating a connecting rod, the insert comprising a central opening that aligns with the first opening and a first cutaway section that aligns with the second opening, wherein a first longitudinal axis of the first fixation component is not parallel to a second longitudinal axis of the second fixation component.