Patent ID: 8617209

Claim:
A spinal fixation system, comprising: a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis; a fixation element configured to connect the pedicle screw to at least one additional pedicle screw; and a coupling mechanism, comprising: a pedicle screw securing device adapted to secure the coupling mechanism to the pedicle screw; a fixation element securing device configured to secure the coupling mechanism to the fixation element; and a fastening mechanism configured to fasten both the pedicle screw securing device and the fixation element securing device, the fastening mechanism located along the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw; wherein the fixation element securing device comprises a lower portion having a first fixation element receiving aperture and an upper portion having a second fixation element receiving aperture; wherein the first fixation receiving aperture and the second fixation receiving aperture are sized the same to receive the fixation element; and wherein the lower portion includes a single arm through which the first fixation element receiving aperture extends and the upper portion includes a pair of arms through which the second fixation element receiving aperture extends; and wherein the single arm of the lower portion is positioned between the pair of arms of the upper portion.