Patent ID: 7604656
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a fastener having a longitudinal axis and engageable with a bone portion; a housing having passage with a longitudinal axis and a first transverse dimension, said fastener extending through an opening in said housing into said passage and being movable relative to said housing, said longitudinal axis of said fastener being positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to said longitudinal axis of said passage; a spacer received in said passage of said housing and engageable with said fastener, said spacer having an upper end and a lower end; and a retaining structure having a second transverse dimension greater than the first transverse dimension; wherein the retaining structure has a second transverse dimension greater than the first transverse dimension so that the retaining structure can be press-fit into the passage adjacent the upper end of the spacer, the retaining structure and the passage being deformable relative to one another to adjust a distance between said retaining structure and the spacer; and wherein an inner surface of the housing includes a substantially continuous vertical surface at least from a location engaging the retaining structure to a location adjacent the lower end of the spacer; wherein the housing has first and second side walls including a partially cylindrical inwardly extending recess on an exterior surface thereof, the recess defined at least in part by a deformable inner wall, the deformable inner wall protruding into the passage adjacent said retaining structure forming a protrusion, the protrusion retaining the retaining structure, spacer, and fastener in the housing.