Patent ID: 7066937
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for connecting a longitudinal member with a bone portion, comprising: a fastener having a longitudinal axis and engageable with the bone portion to connect said longitudinal member to the bone portion; a housing having a first passage configured to receive said longitudinal member, said housing having a second passage with a longitudinal axis extending transverse to said first passage, said fastener extending through an opening in said housing into said second passage and being movable relative to said housing, said longitudinal axis of said fastener being positionable in any one of a plurality of desired angular positions relative to said longitudinal axis of said second passage, the second passage having an indentation; comprising an axially extending surface at least partially defining the second passage and an upper surface extending transverse to the axially extending surface; a spacer received in said second passage of said housing and engageable with said fastener and said longitudinal member and having a radial surface below said upper surface of said indentation; and a member contacting the upper surface of the indentation and the radial surface of the spacer that applies an axial force to the spacer to prevent relative movement between said fastener and said housing and holding said longitudinal axis of said fastener in any one of said plurality of desired angular positions relative to said longitudinal axis of said second passage when said longitudinal member is disengaged from said spacer and said spacer engages said fastener, said fastener and said housing being manually movable relative to each other against said force when said longitudinal member is disengaged from said spacer and said member applies said force.