Patent ID: 8034085

Claim:
A device for treating spinal deformities, comprising: a spinal anchoring element adapted to seat first and second spinal fixation elements at a distance spaced apart from one another, the spinal anchoring element having a bore extending therethrough; a polyaxial fastening element adapted to extend distally through the bore to mate the spinal anchoring element to bone the fastening element being adapted to move polyaxially relative the spinal anchoring element when the fastening element extends distally through the bore; a closure mechanism adapted to removably mate to the spinal anchoring element to lock each of the first and second spinal fixation elements in a fixed position relative to the spinal anchoring element, the closure mechanism having a tapered bore extending therethrough that axially aligns with the bore in the spinal anchoring element when the closure mechanism is mated to the spinal anchoring element; and a set screw having a head that is received within the tapered bore in the closure mechanism, and a threaded shaft adapted to threadably engage threads in the bore in the spinal anchoring element to mate the closure mechanism to the spinal anchoring element, wherein the set screw is configured to prevent polyaxial movement of the fastening element relative to the spinal anchoring element when the set screw is fully threaded into the bore.