Patent ID: 7763049

Claim:
An orthopedic fixation connection comprising: a linking element; a bone anchor; a saddle including two legs each extending in a first direction from a base portion of the saddle and between which a pocket is defined, the pocket having an open first end opposite the base portion and a second end proximate the base portion adapted to support the linking element within the pocket, the bone anchor coupled to the base portion of the saddle such that the bone anchor extends in a second direction from the base portion of the saddle opposite the first direction; a first interlock structure positioned within the pocket; and a plug sized and shaped to be non-rotationally and linearly inserted generally parallel to the first direction into the pocket of the saddle, the plug including a second interlock structure adapted to clamp the linking element between the plug and the second end of the pocket, the second interlock structure non-rotationally interlocking with the first interlock structure when the plug is non-rotationally and linearly inserted into the pocket of the saddle; wherein the linking element is clamped in the pocket against the second end without the use of a threaded fastener such that the linking element directly contacts the second end of the pocket and the linking element directly contacts a surface of the plug.