US Patent 7608095 Device for securing spinal rods

A method of securing a spinal rod includes providing a head portion having a channel extending therethrough, providing a bone fastener depending from the head portion, arranging the spinal rod in the channel, and providing a locking cap including an upper portion and a lower portion that are rotatably coupled together, the lower portion having an elongated recess. The method includes assembling the locking cap with the head portion so that the recess is in contact with the spinal rod and so that the upper portion overlies the lower portion, and after the assembling step and while maintaining the recess in contact with the spinal rod, rotating the upper portion of the locking cap relative to both the head portion and the lower portion of the locking cap for securing the position of the head portion relative to the spinal rod.