Patent ID: 8021398

Claim:
A spinal fixation system, comprising: a bone screw having a longitudinal axis; a fixation rod configured to connect the bone screw to at least one additional bone screw, wherein the fixation rod is laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the bone screw; and a coupling mechanism, comprising: a body; a collet at least partially received in the body and having a plurality of compressible arms configured to engage the bone screw; a fixation rod securing device configured to secure the coupling mechanism to the fixation rod, the fixation rod securing device comprising: a retaining ring secured to the body; a rod holder at least partially located between the retaining ring and the body and receives the fixation rod, wherein the retaining ring engages the rod holder to secure the rod holder to the body and to prevent the rod holder from rotating relative to the body; a fastening mechanism, wherein rotation of the fastening mechanism secures the collet to the bone screw and secures the rod holder to the retaining ring.