Patent ID: 9615858
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A bottom loading connector assembly for coupling to an anchored bone screw having a spherical ball with a shank having at least one thread formed along a length of the shank, comprising: a connector assembly having a first side wall and a second side wall forming a U-shaped opening, a top end and a bottom end with a passageway therebetween having a diameter along the bottom end being greater than the diameter of a bone screw spherical ball and a diameter along the upper end being smaller than the diameter of the spherical ball; a first groove formed along the lower end of said passageway for receipt of a first retaining ring; a second groove juxtapositioned to said first groove for receipt of a second retaining ring; an anchor cap dimensioned to fit over a portion of the spherical ball; and a set screw releasably securable to the upper end of said connector assembly; wherein said bottom end of said connector assembly is positioned over the spherical ball of an anchored bone screw, said first and second retainer rings expand to permit passage of the spherical ball whereby said second retaining ring applies pressure to said first ring locating said first ring beneath the spherical ball thereby reducing the diameter of the bottom end and preventing removal of said connector assembly from said anchored bone screw.