Patent ID: 8845696
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of stabilizing a vertebral column comprising: providing a first fixation assembly comprising at least first and second housing members, said first housing member comprising a top surface, a first internal bore configured to extend along a first axis from said top surface to an opposing bottom surface and a bone fastener at least partially seated therein, said bone fastener comprising a head segment that is configured to couple to a first segment of a driver; advancing said bone fastener into a bony segment of said vertebral column using said driver; seating a first segment of an interconnecting member within a second bore of said second housing member, said second housing member comprising a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and at least two opposing side surfaces, said second bore configured to extend from a first one of said side surfaces to an opposing one of said side surfaces; and actuating a locking mechanism from a first to a second state, said locking mechanism configured to enable said first housing member to be movable relative to said bone fastener when in said first state and configured to cause said first housing member to be rigidly immobilized relative to said bone fastener when in said second state; wherein said second housing member comprises a third bore configured to extend from said top surface to said bottom surface along a second axis and sized to permit advancement of said first segment of said driver therethrough; wherein said second housing member is configured to movably couple with and to translate relative to said first housing member along a trajectory that is non-parallel to said first axis of said first housing member; and wherein said second housing member is configured to assume one of a range of positions relative to said first housing member, at least one of said positions comprising said first axis of said first housing member being coaxially aligned with said second axis of said second housing member.