Patent ID: 8075597

Claim:
An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship, said apparatus comprising: a rod adapted to extend along the spinal column; a housing having first and second opposite sides, said rod being at least partially disposed between said first and second sides of said housing; a connector which extends in a first direction from said first side of said housing and is adapted to engage a vertebra, said connector being movable relative to said first and second sides of said housing along a path of movement extending through said first and second sides of said housing; and an adjusting member which rotates relative to said housing to cause said connector to move along said path of movement relative to said first and second sides of said housing and relative to said adjusting member into one of a plurality of positions along said path of movement, said connector being held by said adjusting member in any one of the plurality of positions along the path of movement, said connector being movable into any one of the plurality of positions along said path of movement only while said adjusting member is rotated relative to said housing, said adjusting member rotating about an axis which extends along the path of movement of said connector relative to said housing and being accessible from said second side of said housing, said adjusting member having a portion extending between said first side and said second side.