US Patent 9011449 Screw and rod fixation system

A pedicle screw and rod fixation assembly including a pair of opposing tabs having a proximal end and a distal end, the pair of opposing tabs being coupled to one another about the distal end thereof by a screw head member, a decoupling mechanism for decoupling the pair of opposing tabs from the screw head member, a rod receiving slot between the pair of opposing tabs, and a sliding member configured for coupling to the pair of opposing tabs. The sliding member and the pair of opposing tabs are configured for allowing movement of the sliding member distally along the pair of opposing tabs and preventing movement of the sliding member proximally along the pair of opposing tabs.