Patent ID: 8409256

Claim:
A spine stabilization system comprising: (a) a bone engaging member having a head and a shank; (b) a receiver member configured to receive the head of the bone engaging member therein, wherein the receiver member includes a sidewall structure defining (i) a first side opening and a second side opening spaced apart from each other, (ii) a connecting member cavity interposed between the first side opening and the second side opening, and (iii) a first set of threads, and wherein the sidewall structure includes a first connecting member seat that partially defines the first side opening and a second connecting member seat that partially defines the second side opening; (c) a bearing positioned (i) in the receiver member, and (ii) in contact with the head of the bone engaging member; (d) an elongated connecting member extending into the connecting member cavity of the receiver member and passing through both the first side opening and the second side opening; (e) a retention member positioned between the elongated connecting member and the bearing within the receiver member, the retention member configured to secure the bearing in place within the receiver member; and (f) a fixation member having a second set of threads configured to mate with the first set of threads so as to attach the fixation member to the receiver member, wherein, when the second set of threads is mated with the first set of threads to attach the fixation member to the receiver member, (i) the elongated connecting member is urged into contact with both the first connecting member seat and the second connecting member seat so as to secure the elongated connecting member to the receiver member, (ii) the bearing is spaced apart from the elongated connecting member so that no portion of the bearing contacts the elongated connecting member, and (iii) the retention member is spaced apart from the elongated connecting member so that no portion of the retention member contacts the elongated connecting member.