Patent ID: 8470001

Claim:
A method of treating a spine, comprising: providing a spinal treatment system including: a screw having a threaded shaft portion configured to engage bone tissue, and a head portion having a cup shaped cavity; a linking member having a spherical head portion configured to engage the cup-shaped cavity of the head of the screw, the spherical head portion terminating at a widened flange portion that extends from the spherical head portion to form a rim surface configured to engage a rod connector, and an elongate body extending from the widened flange portion; a rod connector having a first opening for receiving a spinal rod implant, a second opening for receiving the elongate body of the linking member, and a recess portion configured to engage at least a portion of the spherical head portion of the linking member; and a spinal rod implant configured for placement through the first opening of the rod connector; anchoring the screw to a vertebra of the spine; assembling the spinal rod implant, rod connector and linking member to the screw; and securing the rod connector to another vertebra of the spine to treat the spine.