Patent ID: 8298265

Claim:
A variable angle spinal screw assembly adapted to be secured to a vertebra comprising: a) a body member having a lower opening that opens onto an interior surface; the body member including structure adapted to receive a rod in an upper portion thereof; b) a screw having a threaded shaft and an upper head portion; the upper head portion being loaded into the body member interior and the shaft extending through the lower opening so as to allow variable angular movement of the screw relative to the body member during assembly; c) a bushing located, such that when the head portion is positioned in the body member interior and the rod is received by the body member, the bushing is located between and in contact with the rod and the head portion, the bushing having a seat for receiving the rod, the bushing having a pair of opposed outwardly projecting structures, such that when the bushing is located within the body member interior, the structures engage the body member interior surface and the bushing provides a press fitment about the screw head so that the body member, the screw and the bushing do not move freely prior to securement of the rod; and d) a locking structure that when joined with the body member bears against the rod which in turn bears against the bushing that in turn bears against the interior surface of the body member so as to fix the angular position of the body member relative to the screw when in an assembled configuration.