Patent ID: 8523911

Claim:
A spine stabilization system comprising: a first bone anchor having a first receiving portion and a second bone anchor having a second receiving portion; a first and second elongated rod positioned within the first and second receiving portions respectfully; a first and second locking cap configured to retain and capture the first and second elongated rods within the first and second bone anchors; a top connector having first and second ends, the first end and the second end having elongated openings; a first and a second locking nut for coupling the top connector to the first and second bone anchors, wherein the first and second locking nut each include serrations that bear down on an upper surface of the top connector; wherein each of the first and second locking caps further comprises: a threaded portion for coupling to the first or second locking nut, at least one flange portion for coupling to the bone anchor, and a bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface of the first locking cap is spaced apart from the first bone anchor and the bearing surface of the second locking cap is spaced apart from the second bone anchor, the bearing surface contacting the top connector, wherein the bearing surface is positioned between the threaded portion and the flange portion, wherein between the bearing surface and the flange portion the locking cap is non-threaded, and wherein the bearing surface has a width that is greater than the width of the flange portion and the threaded portion, wherein the bearing surface is positioned adjacent to and closer to the threaded portion than the at least one flange portion.