Pedicle screw implant system

A pedicle screw comprising:

• an anchoring member having a shank and a spherical connector;
• a connecting assembly defined by a lower connector member secured to an upper connector member, said lower connector member having a threaded aperture to allow a threaded shank of an anchoring member to pass through a socket for receipt of said spherical connector;
• said upper connector member being generally C shaped having a top annulus portion and a bottom annulus portion, said top annulus portion being connected to said bottom annulus portion with a side wall that circumscribes less than half of the circumference of said top and bottom annulus portions, whereby a connecting rod member can be side loaded into said upper connector member;
• a retainer ring disposed within said socket having a lower spherical surface positionable along an upper surface of said spherical connector,
• a fastener element securable to said upper connector member for engaging a connection rod member placed within said upper connector member;
• wherein when said connecting rod member is placed in said upper connector and said fastener element is secured thereto, the connecting rod member engages said retainer ring and said retainer ring locks said connecting assembly in a fixed position in relation to said anchoring member.

A pedicle screw comprising:

• an anchoring member having a threaded shank and a spherical connector;
• a connecting assembly defined by a lower connector member secured to an upper connector member, said connector assembly further including a socket for receipt of said spherical connector;
• a retainer ring disposed within said socket having a lower spherical surface positionable along an upper surface of said spherical connector, said retainer ring constructed and arranged to limit placement of said anchoring member;
• and
• a fastener element securable to said upper connector member for engaging of a connection rod member placed within said upper connector member
• said lower connector member including a spherical seat surface formed therein, said spherical seat surface having an aperture and at least one groove formed on said spherical seat surface, the spherical seat surface being sized and configured to grip and lock said spherical connector to said lower connector member;
• and
• said upper connector member being generally C shaped having a top annulus portion and a bottom annulus portion, said top annulus portion being connected to said bottom annulus portion with a side wall that circumscribes less than half of the circumference of said top and bottom annulus portions, whereby said connecting rod member can be side loaded into said upper connector member.