Patent ID: 8888827

Claim:
An orthopedic fixation device comprising: a coupling element, wherein the coupling element comprises a bore there through and an interior surface disposed about the bore; a bone fastener, wherein the bone fastener comprises a head and an extension that extends from the head, wherein the head is configured for loading into the coupling element through the bottom of the bore; a locking clamp assembly, wherein the locking clamp assembly comprises: a clamp element, wherein the clamp element comprises a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion, wherein the first and second clamp portions each have an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface is configured to engage the interior surface of the coupling element, and wherein at least a portion of the inner surface is configured to engage the head of the bone fastener; and a wedge element, wherein the wedge element comprises a wedge bore configured to receive an upper portion of the clamp element and an inner wedge surface disposed around at least a lower portion of the wedge bore, wherein the inner wedge surface is configured to engage at least portion of the outer surface of the first and second clamp portions; and wherein the wedge element comprises downwardly extending tabs configured to be received in corresponding slots in the head of the bone fastener.