Patent attributes
The present disclosure generally relates to pedicle screws that can selectively lock polyaxial motion of a receiver head with a locking cap. The locking cap can allow locking of the polyaxial motion of the receiver member relative to the spherical head of the bone shank without having a rod placed in the rod slot of the receiver member. This can enable placement of the head of the pedicle screw in a desired position and orientation, locking the head in the desired position and orientation, and performing a maneuver, such as derotation, without a rod in place or any extra motion between the receiver member and the bone shank. In some embodiments, actuation of the locking cap can be achieved by rotating the locking cap relative to the receiver member, where rotation of the locking cap causes corresponding axial translation of the locking cap relative to the receiver member.
