Spinal implant locking member with improved guidance, tactile and visual feedback

An implant comprising:

• a receiver having at least one internal wall defining a bore adapted to receive a polyaxial screw, at least a portion of said receiver having a receiver thread, said receiver further comprising a rod-receiving channel in communication with said bore, said rod-receiving channel being adapted to receive a rod, wherein the rod contacts at least a portion of a head of the polyaxial screw;
• and
• a cap having a cap thread for mating with said receiver thread to permit said cap to be screwed on said receiver in order to lock said rod in said rod-receiving channel of said receiver, wherein the cap contacts at least a portion of the rod;
• wherein said cap comprises an aperture in a rod-engaging end, said cap having a monolithic and deformable ring surrounding said aperture that is adapted to engage said rod and deform on it after said rod is received in said receiver and said cap is screwed on said receiver, and
• wherein said cap comprises a deformable area, said deformable area engaging said rod and deforming on it after said rod is received in said receiver and said cap is rotated and screwed on said receiver.