Patent ID: 6482207
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A pedicle screw assembly, comprising:a bone screw having a threaded lower portion and a smooth upper portion; a rod holding element having a first hole formed therethrough, through which a rod may be passed, and a second tapered hole formed at a transverse axis to the first hole, said first hole and second tapered hole including a shared volume defined by intersecting open side walls; a rod locking member which includes a cylindrical body with an axial bore which seats on the smooth upper portion of the bone screw, an upper portion of said rod locking member being threaded and said lower portion being tapered such that it may seat within the second tapered hole of said rod holding element, said lower portion of said rod locking member including at least one axial slot formed therein such that said lower portion may deflect in accordance with the application of a radial force; and a locking nut for engaging the threaded upper portion of the rod locking member, whereby tightening of the locking nut on the threading of the rod locking member causes the lower portion of the rod locking member to be compressed within the second tapered hole of the rod holding element, thus compressing against the smooth upper portion of the bone screw and compressing against the rod in the first hole of said rod holding element via said intersecting open side walls of said rod holding element.