Patent ID: 7708762

Claim:
A system for stabilization of at least a portion of the spinal column, comprising: an elongate support member extending along an axis and positionable along the spinal column; and a plurality of anchor members configured for anchoring to respective vertebrae, each of said anchor members including a bone engaging portion engageable to a vertebra and a receiver portion defining a passage, said elongate support member positioned in said passage defined by said receiver portion of each of said plurality of anchor members; a first set screw engaged with said receiver portion of a first of said anchor members and securely engaged against said support member and with said support member compressed against said receiver portion of said first anchor member, and wherein said support member is fixedly engaged and constrained within said passage of said first anchor member whereby axial movement of said support member relative to said first anchor member is substantially prevented; and a second set screw engaged with said receiver portion of a second of said anchor members, said second set screw and said second anchor member including structural features that cooperate to prevent said second set screw from being securely engaged against said support member which in turn prevents said support member from being compressed against said receiver portion of said second anchor member, and wherein said support member is movably engaged and substantially unconstrained within said passage of said second anchor member whereby axial movement of said support member relative to said second anchor member is allowed; and wherein said structural features comprise a shoulder defined by said second set screw that abuts a corresponding surface defined by said receiver portion of said second anchor member to prevent said second set screw from compressing said support member against said receiver portion of said second anchor member; and wherein said receiver portion of said second anchor member includes a pair of spaced apart arms at least partially defining said passage and including distal end portions defining an opening therebetween in communication with said passage, said opening sized to transversely receive said elongate support member therethrough and into said passage; and wherein said shoulder of said second set screw abuts said distal end portions of said arms to prevent said second set screw from compressing said support member against said receiver portion of said second anchor member.