Patent ID: 7811312

Claim:
A bone alignment implant system comprising: an elongated link having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface that each extend between a first side edge and an opposing second side edge and which extend between a first end and an opposing second end of the link, the link having a first opening extending completely therethrough between the top surface and the bottom surface at the first end, a second opening extending completely therethrough between the top surface and the bottom surface at the second end and a guide opening extending completely therethrough between the top surface and the bottom surface at a central location between the first opening and the second opening, the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening being completely encircled by the link, the guide opening being smaller than the first opening and the second opening, the link having a central linear longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the opposing second end that intersects with the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening, the first opening also having a central linear axis extending therethrough that extends normal to the bottom surface of the link, a first recess being centrally formed on the first side edge and a second recess being centrally formed on the second side edge such that a linear line extending orthogonal to the central linear longitudinal axis can extend between the first recess and the second recess and intersect with the guide opening, the first recess and the second recess each extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the link; a first bone fastener comprising a first head at one end and a first engager projecting from an opposing end, the first engager being passable though the first opening, and the first head being precluded from passing through the first opening; and a second bone fastener comprising a second engager and a second head, the second engager being passable through the second opening, and the second head being precluded from passing through the second opening, wherein neither the first engager nor the second engager can pass though the guide opening, wherein the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening are the only openings formed on the link that extend completely through the link and are completely encircled by the link.