Patent ID: 7766946

Claim:
A pedicle screw assembly comprising: a spinal rod; a body portion having a longitudinal passageway and a vertical interior bore, wherein the passageway is configured to receive and hold the spinal rod, a spinal fastener portion, which is configured to engage the spine and extends through the vertical interior bore of the body portion and through an opening in the lower end of the body portion corresponding to the vertical interior bore, and a locking cap configured to engage external surface of the body portion and to directly engage a lateral side of the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the body portion and spinal rod, wherein the locking cap and the passageway secure the spinal rod with a mechanical interlocking fit which secures the spinal rod perpendicular to the body portion when the locking cap is rotated about the body portion, and wherein the locking cap secures the spinal rod with a bayonet locking configuration comprising a channel cut into opposing sides of a lower portion of the locking cap with a flange at a lower end of the channel, wherein the channel is sized to receive the spinal rod, and wherein the flange directly engages the lateral side of the spinal rod, and the flange and the passageway secure the spinal rod with a mechanical interlocking fit when the locking cap is rotated in relationship to the body portion to secure the spinal rod perpendicular to the body portion.