Patent ID: 6858030

Claim:
A method for stabilizing a spine comprising: providing a coupling element having upper and lower ends, a rod receiving opening adapted to receive an elongated stabilizing rod, a bore extending through the lower end and a conical-shaped seat surrounding said bore adjacent the lower end; providing a fastener having upper and lower ends, a head having a radial surface, and at least one anchoring element between the lower end of said fastener and the head; assembling said fastener with said coupling element so that the lower end of said fastener passes through the bore of said coupling element and the radial surface of said head engages the conical-shaped seat; anchoring said fastener to bone; moving said coupling element relative to said fastener for capturing said elongated stabilizing rod in the rod receiving opening; urging said captured stabilizing rod toward the head of said fastener so that said rod contacts said head and forces the radial surface of said head against the conical-shaped seat of said coupling element for locking said coupling element from further movement relative to said fastener.