Patent ID: 8267980

Claim:
A spinal stabilizing system comprising: a collar comprising: a tubular sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface each extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the exterior surface having a non-circular transverse cross section, the interior surface at least partially bounding a longitudinal passage extending therethrough, the longitudinal passage having a central longitudinal axis; a shoulder radially inwardly projecting from the second end of the sidewall so as to at last partially encircle the longitudinal passage, the shoulder having an interior surface at least partially forming a seat; and a pair of spaced apart channels transversely extending through the sidewall at the first end thereof; a screw having a threaded portion and a head mounted on an end thereof, the head of the screw resting on or adjacent to the seat of the collar so that the collar can universally pivot relative to the head of the screw, an elongated locking slot longitudinally extending along an exterior surface of the head of the screw; and a pin being secured to the collar and projecting into the locking slot on the head of the screw.