Patent ID: 8012186

Claim:
A spinal stabilization system for surgical implantation in the spine comprising: a bone fastener, the bone fastener having a head portion and a shaft portion; a housing having a recess defined by sidewalls and the housing having bottom portion with an opening for receiving the head portion of the bone fastener; a seating element disposed within the housing and positioned over the head portion of the bone fastener; an elongate rod positioned on the seating element within the recess of the housing; a cap capable of engaging with a top portion of the housing and capturing the elongate rod within the recess of the housing when the cap is rotated; wherein the head portion of the bone fastener is provided with at least one protrusion that is seated within an aperture on at least one of the sidewalls of the housing, wherein the head portion of the bone fastener is articulatable with respect to the housing and seating element, wherein the opening in the bottom portion of the bone fastener is rectangular and the head portion of the fastener is configured with a curved top and a quadrangluar base, wherein the top of the head portion is disposed within a bottom section of the seating element, wherein the top of the bone fastener is textured, wherein the bone fastener articulates with respect to the housing in a single plane, and the bone fastener is in a locked position when the elongate rod is compressed on the seating element, wherein the at least one protrusion fitted within the aperture forms a hinge.