Patent ID: 7727261

Claim:
A medical implant apparatus, comprising: a receiver member having a longitudinal axis and defining an upper opening portion and a lower opening portion, a channel transverse to and communicating with said upper opening portion, and an interior groove in said member substantially perpendicular to said axis, said upper opening portion having an internal thread and said lower opening portion being cylindrical and having a diameter; a retaining member having an inner dimension and an outer dimension, said outer dimension being larger than said lower opening portion diameter, said retaining member occupying said groove, and wherein said retaining member comprises a substantially planar member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface defining an overall height therebetween, and having a body width that is substantially constant throughout said retaining member between said top surface and said bottom surface along said overall height; a longitudinal member at least partially within said channel; and a set screw threaded into said internal thread of said receiver member and contacting said longitudinal member.