# US 11,304,732 B2 · Polyaxial bone screw > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,304,732 B2 - Document ID: US11304732B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/030,996 - Filed: 2020-09-24 - Published: 2021-03-25 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-24 - Assignees: Corelink, LLC - Applicants: CoreLink, LLC - Inventors: Mike Mueller; Adam MacMillan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304732B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7032: {Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass} - A61B 17/7034: {characterised by a lateral opening} - A61B 17/7037: {wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped} - A61B 17/704: {the longitudinal element passing through a ball-joint in the screw head} - A61B 17/7082: {for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A bone screw assembly includes a fastener including a shaft and a head disposed on the shaft. The fastener is configured to be anchored within a subject's bone. A receiving assembly is configured to be movably mounted on the head of the fastener. The receiving assembly includes a receiver disposable around at least a portion of the head of the fastener and defining a channel for receiving a rod member therein. A retaining ring is disposed within the receiver for holding the head of the fastener in the receiver. An insert is disposed in the receiver above the retaining ring. A saddle is disposed in the receiver above the insert. The saddle defines a cradle for seating the rod member in the receiver. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bone screw assembly comprising: a fastener comprising a shaft and a head disposed on the shaft, the fastener being configured to be anchored within a subject's bone; a receiving assembly configured to be movably mounted on the head of the fastener, the receiving assembly comprising a receiver disposable around at least a portion of the head of the fastener and defining a channel for receiving a rod member therein, a retaining ring disposed within the receiver for holding the head of the fastener in the receiver, an insert disposed in the receiver above the retaining ring, and a saddle disposed in the receiver above the insert, the saddle defining a cradle for seating the rod member in the receiver, the receiving assembly further comprising a pair of springs attached to the receiver above the insert, the springs comprising elongate spring members configured in a serpentine shape and biasing the insert toward the retaining ring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the cradle includes a U-shaped receiving surface for seating the rod member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the insert is coupled to the saddle such that the saddle and insert move together in the receiver. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The assembly set forth in claim 3, wherein the insert includes a plurality of hooks and the saddle defines an annular recess therein, the hooks being received in the annular recess to couple the insert to the saddle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the retaining ring comprises Nitinol. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the retaining ring comprises a discontinuous ring member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the retaining ring comprises a continuous ring member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a discontinuous ring member. ### Claim 9 A receiving assembly for a bone screw comprising: a receiver configured to be movably mounted on a head of the bone screw, the receiver defining a channel for receiving a rod member therein; a retaining ring disposed within the receiver for holding the head of the bone screw in the receiver; an insert disposed in the receiver above the retaining ring; and a saddle disposed in the receiver above the insert, the saddle defining a cradle for seating the rod member in the receiver; wherein the retaining ring comprises a discontinuous ring member, and wherein the insert comprises a discontinuous ring member such that no portion of the insert extends continuously around an entire circumference of the insert. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The assembly set forth in claim 9, further comprising a pair of springs attached to the receiver above the insert, the springs biasing the insert toward the retaining ring. ### Claim 11 A receiving assembly for a bone screw comprising: a receiver configured to be movably mounted on a head of the bone screw, the receiver defining a channel for receiving a rod member therein; and a continuous retaining ring disposed within the receiver for holding the head of the bone screw in the receiver, the continuous retaining ring being configured to expand a receiving area of the retaining ring to permit at least a portion of the head of the bone screw to be inserted through the retaining ring, wherein the retaining ring comprises a wire lattice. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly set forth in claim 11, wherein the retaining ring comprises Nitinol. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The assembly set forth in claim 11, in combination with the bone screw. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The assembly set forth in claim 13, wherein the bone screw comprising the head and a shaft extending from the head, a helical thread being disposed on the shaft for advancing the bone screw into a subject's bone and a receptacle being formed in the head for receiving a driver for driving the bone screw into the subject's bone. ### Claim 15 A receiving assembly for a bone screw comprising: a receiver configured to be movably mounted on a head of the bone screw, the receiver defining a channel for receiving a rod member therein; and a continuous retaining ring disposed within the receiver for holding the head of the bone screw in the receiver, the continuous retaining ring being configured to expand a receiving area of the retaining ring to permit at least a portion of the head of the bone screw to be inserted through the retaining ring; wherein the retaining ring defines a plurality of channels, the receiving assembly further comprising a plurality of balls received in respective channels, the balls being moveable in the channels to expand the receiving area of the retaining ring.