Apparatus for driver-specific backout prevention

A backout prevention system comprising:

• a body configured to receive a fastener, the body defining a cavity configured to receive a head of the fastener when the fastener is disposed in the body, the cavity defining an inwardly extending flange at a proximal location of the cavity;
• a fastener having a threaded portion and a head portion, the head portion comprising:
• an upper socket configured to interface with a driver for adjusting a position of the fastener within the body;
• a lower socket;
• and
• at least one channel radially extending from the lower socket and sized and shaped to allow translation of a locking body through the channel;
• and
• a locking body disposed in each of the at least one radially extending channels of the fastener;
• and
• a locking driver comprising a distal end region sized and shaped to engage both the upper socket and lower socket, the distal end region having a drive portion and a locking portion located distal to the drive portion, wherein the drive portion is configured to interface with the upper socket for delivering torque to the fastener for adjusting a position of the fastener in the body, and wherein the locking portion is configured to be disposed in the lower socket when the drive portion is interfaced with the upper socket and is sized and shaped to displace the locking body radially outward to a position that prevents the locking body in the fastener from being moved proximally past the flange,
• wherein a standard driver comprising a distal end having a drive portion without a locking portion sized and shaped to move the locking body radially outward is able to deliver a torque to the upper socket to adjust the position of fastener in the body proximally and distally without interference between the locking body and the flange.

A method of assembling and adjusting a position of a fastener in a locking mechanism, the method comprising:

• inserting the fastener into a body of the locking mechanism;
• coupling a first driver to the fastener and threading the fastener distally into engagement with the body using the first driver such that a locking body disposed in a radially extending channel of the fastener is disposed distal to an inwardly extending flange in a cavity of the body;
• with the fastener in threaded engagement with the body, coupling a second driver to the fastener, the second driver displacing the locking body radially outward such that the locking body interferes with the flange of the channel to prevent proximal movement of the fastener beyond a location where the locking body interfaces with the flange;
• and
• adjusting the position of the fastener in the body using the second driver by threading the fastener between a maximum proximal location defined by the interference between the locking body and the flange and a maximum distal location.