Patent ID: 7270665

Claim:
A orthopedic apparatus comprising: a bone anchor member having an anchoring portion and a shaft portion; a longitudinal member; a locking assembly having a body member and a compressible ring, said assembly connecting said bone anchor member and said longitudinal member; and a set screw threaded into said body member; wherein said body member includes a lower portion and an upper portion linked by a connecting portion and separated by a slot, said lower portion and said upper portion each including a first aperture and a second aperture, said first aperture being configured such that said shaft portion of said bone anchor member can be passed therethrough, said second aperture being configured such that said set screw can be inserted therein so as to compress said body member, said body member further including a cavity for accommodating said ring and a portion of said longitudinal member; wherein said compressible ring includes a central passage to receive a portion of said longitudinal member, and wherein compression of said body member by said set screw locks said ring and longitudinal member in a desired position relative to said body member, and said bone anchor member relative to said body member.