Abstract: A spinal implant fixation assembly includes a bone fixation member, such as a screw or hook for fixation to a bone. A rod receiving seat is operatively connected to the bone fixation element for seating a portion of a rod therein. A locking mechanism, in the form of a nut and locking ring engage the rod receiving seat for forcing an inner wall of the rod receiving seat to contour around and engage the rod seated therein and for locking and fixing the rod relative to the inner housing. In one embodiment, the locking ring secures a head portion of the bone fixation element within the assembly. A method is also provided for locking the rod to a bone by fixing a rod seating member to a bone and seating a portion of a rod within a substantially U-shaped seat of the seating member. The rod is then locked within the U-shaped seating member while engaging and contouring at least a portion of the U-shaped seat about the rod.

Abstract: A spinal implant fixation assembly includes a bone fixation member, such as a screw or hook for fixation to a bone. A rod receiving seat is operatively connected to the bone fixation element for seating a portion of a rod therein. A locking mechanism, in the form of a nut and locking ring engage the rod receiving seat for forcing an inner wall of the rod receiving seat to contour around and engage the rod seated therein and for locking and fixing the rod relative to the inner housing. In one embodiment, the locking ring secures a head portion of the bone fixation element within the assembly. A method is also provided for locking the rod to a bone by fixing a rod seating member to a bone and seating a portion of a rod within a substantially U-shaped seat of the seating member. The rod is then locked within the U-shaped seating member while engaging and contouring at least a portion of the U-shaped seat about the rod.

Abstract: A fusion implant for insertion between opposing vertabrae includes a body having an inner surface defining a hollow inner chamber for containing a graft material therein. The body includes a stress transfer mechanism for transferring stress from the vertabrae surrounding the implant to the graft material contained within the implant. A method is provided for implanting the fusion implant between opposing vertabraes by the steps of inserting an implant into a collapsed disc space between adjacent vertabrae, the implant including a collapsed body, and expanding the body to spread the adjacent vertabrae apart.