Patent ID: 7766942

Claim:
An elongated spinal fixation member comprising: an arcuate main body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an elongated central portion extending substantially between the first end portion and the second end portion, the arcuate main body curved along its length between the first end portion and the second end portion; the central portion having a substantially uniform oblong cross-section extending substantially along a length of the central portion, the cross-section having a height greater than a width as viewed in a plane generally perpendicular to the length of the central portion, the first end portion having a substantially circular first end-portion surface and a first end-cap opening extending therethrough, the first end portion having at least one external taper transitioning the first end portion from the oblong cross-section of the central portion to the substantially circular first end-portion surface, the at least one external taper of the first end portion tapering more relative to the height of the central portion as compared to the width of the central portion; the second end portion having a substantially circular second end-portion surface and a second end-cap opening extending therethrough, the second end-cap opening spaced from the first end-cap opening of the first end portion, the second end portion having at least one external taper transitioning the second end portion from the oblong cross-section of the central portion to the substantially circular first end-portion surface, the at least one external taper of the second end portion tapering more relative to the height of the central portion as compared to the width of the central portion; wherein the arcuate main body is formed of a medical grade polymer and is set in its final form; a first end cap having a first projection fixedly engaged with the first end-cap opening; and a second end cap having a second projection fixedly engaged with the second end-cap opening and having a rounded end portion opposite the second projection, the second projection spaced from the first projection.