Patent ID: 8252030

Claim:
A connection assembly for connecting a spinal implant to an anchor, the connection assembly comprising: a spinal implant positionable along at least a portion of the spinal column; an anchor having a head portion and a shaft portion, at least a portion of the shaft portion having threading for engaging a vertebra; a housing member for connecting the spinal implant and the anchor at any one of a plurality of angles, the housing member comprising: a channel for receiving the spinal implant; a securing member for securing the spinal implant in the channel; a first opening extending through top and bottom surfaces of the housing member for receiving the anchor; and a fastening member for securing the anchor in the first opening at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the housing member and the spinal implant, wherein the head portion includes a plurality of ridges and the opening includes a plurality of ribs wherein the plurality of ridges are capable of interdigitating with the plurality of ribs, wherein the plurality of ridges are deformable and are configured to deform around the plurality of ribs, wherein the plurality of ridges are deformable with respect to the plurality of ribs forming a cold weld, wherein the securing member is threaded into a second opening wherein it contacts and pushes the spinal implant toward wall of a channel of the housing wherein the securing member is captured in a second opening by including an overhanging portion on the securing member that abuts against the termination of the threading the second opening.