Patent Document ID: 8556937
Application ID: 13470597

Base Claim:
1. A method for spinal stabilization, comprising: coupling a first end of a connecting member to a head of a bone anchor implanted in a first vertebra to anchor the first end of the connecting member to the first vertebra, the bone anchor having a rod receiving portion with opposed arms and a first spinal rod disposed in the rod receiving portion; threadably engaging a distal portion of a set screw with each of the opposed arms of the bone anchor, the threaded set screw extending through an opening in the first end of the connecting member; and threadably engaging a washer with a proximal portion of the set screw, the first end of the connecting member being located between the threaded washer and a proximal end of the opposed arms on the rod receiving portion of the bone anchor.

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Claim 6:
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the threaded washer to the threaded set screw locks the connecting member to the bone anchor.