Patent ID: 8529602

Claim:
A self-contouring spinal rod assembly comprising: a plurality of parallel rod elements directly contacting one another in slidable engagement, the spinal rod assembly having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends; and a sheath extending over the plurality of rod elements between the distal end and the proximal end, the sheath having an outer perimeter that is circular in cross section, the circular outer perimeter extending uniformly along the length of the sheath, wherein the plurality of rod elements extend along the length such that each of the plurality of rod elements is in contact with an adjacent rod element, the plurality of rod elements are fixed against movement relative to each other at the distal end, and the plurality of rod elements are movable relative to each other along a length proximal the distal end, the distal end comprising a tip, the tip comprising a cylindrical tubular cap having an open end and a closed end, the cap forming a bore exposed at the open end, the ends of the rod elements received through the open end and into the bore, the ends fixed in the bore against movement relative to each other at the distal end.