Patent ID: 8157846
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for locking the relative positions of a fixation device and a rod comprising: placing a fixation device through a hole in the top of a body of the locking mechanism; placing a rod seat having a top portion and a bottom portion through the hole in the top portion of a body of a locking mechanism, wherein the rod seat is configured to separate into two pieces when force is applied to the top portion of the rod seat and movement of the rod seat is restricted; placing a rod in a side portion of the body such that the rod and the fixation device are on opposite sides of the rod seat; and urging the rod toward the bottom of the body such that the rod applies force to the top portion of the rod seat and the fixation device restricts movement of the rod seat toward the bottom of the body, thereby causing the rod seat to separate into two pieces; wherein each of the two pieces engage part of the fixation device.