Patent ID: 8216280

Claim:
An orthopedic construct for stabilizing the spinal column between respective first and second vertebral bodies, the construct comprising: an elongated rod with opposed first and second ends, the rod at least partially formed of an implantable nickel titanium alloy having a martensite/austenite transition temperature of at least about 95 degrees centigrade, so that the rod is capable of plastic deformation at body temperature; a first anchoring screw attachable to a first vertebral body; and a second anchoring screw attachable to a second vertebral body, wherein the first end of the rod is coupled to the first anchoring screw and the second end of the rod is coupled to the second anchoring screw; wherein each of the anchoring screws includes a threaded shaft capable of engaging bone and a head having a generally U-shaped recess for receiving the rod.