Patent ID: 7211086

Claim:
A locking device for securing a rod-shaped element in a holding element, which comprises an open end, two open legs at the open end for receiving the rod-shaped element therebetween and an outer thread on the open legs, and which is connected to a shank, for use in spinal column or accident surgery, wherein the locking device comprises: a cylindrical element having a threadless outer wall and having an outer diameter which is dimensioned in such a way that the element can be slidably inserted between said two open legs of the holding element, a central bore with a first inner thread and at least one slit extending in the outer wall for a predetermined length and extending from the outer diameter through the interior thread of the cylindrical element; an inner screw having an exterior thread corresponding to the inner thread of said cylindrical element; and an outer nut comprising a second inner thread for cooperating with the outer thread of the open legs which, in the screwed down state, holds the cylindrical element between the open legs.