Patent ID: 8137384

Claim:
A modular dynamic pedicle screw system comprising: a plurality of modular dynamic pedicle screws and a rod, each modular pedicle screw including a head portion, an intermediate portion, and a threaded shank portion, said head portion including a cylindrical wall with diametrically opposed grooves that extend downwards from the top of said cylindrical wall, said grooves are sized and configured to receive said rod within said diametrically opposed grooves, and a lock screw configured to engage threads formed on an inner surface of said cylindrical wall thereby securing said rod to said head portion, said head portion including a first channel formed coincident with its longitudinal axis and open at the top and the bottom of the head portion, and, a first coupling element connected to said head portion, said intermediate portion including an elastic portion and an upper coupling member and a lower coupling member, said elastic portion and said upper and lower coupling being fixedly connected, said intermediate portion including a second channel extending coincident with its longitudinal axis and open at the top and bottom of said intermediate member, wherein said elastic portion is generally cylindrical in shape and wherein in the elastic portion further includes a jacket that surrounds the outer surfaces of said cylindrical elastic portion and extends outwardly from the top and bottom ends of the cylinder, the jacket portion extending outward from the top of the cylinder is affixed into tabs located in the upper coupling member and the jacket portion extending outward from the bottom of the cylinder is affixed into tabs formed in the lower coupling member, thereby completing the assembling of the intermediate portion, said threaded shank portion including a threaded and tapered outer surface and a second coupling member formed at one end thereof, said threaded shank portion and said second coupling member each having a third channel formed coincident with the longitudinal axis of said threaded shank portion and open at the top and bottom of said threaded shank portion, said first, second and third channels are configured to be in alignment with one another, whereby a wire can pass freely from the open bottom end of the threaded shank portion, through the intermediate portion, and out the open top end of the head portion and be completely removed from the pedicle screw.