Patent ID: 7892267

Claim:
A system for the treatment of a spine, the system comprising: an implant configured to be secured to a portion of a patient's bone, the bone having a hole greater in a first dimension than in a second dimension; and an attachment device having: a rigid first portion having a cross-section sized for insertion into the hole in the bone, the cross-section along a length of the first portion having a first dimension greater than a second dimension, the first portion comprising a biocompatible material defined by a network of interconnected pores configured to promote bone growth into the first portion, wherein the biocompatible material comprises porous tantalum, wherein the first portion has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional profile; and a second portion configured to be received in an opening of the implant; wherein the first portion of the attachment device is configured to be rotated in the hole in the bone to a position that restricts removal of the attachment device from the hole.