Polyaxial pedicle screw having a through bar clamp locking mechanism

A method for installing an orthopedic rod apparatus, comprising:

• driving a screw into a spinal bone, the screw comprising a head and a shank;
• coupling a mounting element onto the screw, wherein the mounting element comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the lower portion defines a socket, and wherein the head of the screw is inserted into the socket, and wherein the upper portion defines a trough, and wherein the mounting element is configured to rotate polyaxially with respect to the screw;
• positioning a first end of a cross bar member within the trough, the cross bar member comprising a second end, a nut, and an annulus, and wherein the first end of the cross bar member comprises threading on an outer surface thereof, and wherein the nut comprises threading on an inner surface thereof, and wherein the second end defines a hole, and wherein the annulus comprises a first face and a second face, and wherein the mounting element comprises a front face;
• positioning a rod within the hole;
• securing the head of the screw within the socket, comprising:
• sliding the nut along the first end such that the nut exerts a compressive force on the mounting element;
• and
• sliding the annulus along the cross bar member such that the first face of the annulus exerts a compressive force on the front face of the mounting element, and wherein the compressive forces exerted by the nut and the annulus on the mounting element substantially compress the socket of the mounting element;
• and
• securing the rod within the cross bar by sliding the annulus along a section of the cross bar member such that the second face of the annulus exerts a compressive force on the rod, and wherein the compressive force exerted by the second face substantially compresses the rod within the hole.

A method of manufacturing an orthopedic rod apparatus, comprising:

• providing a screw for insertion into a bone, the screw comprising a head and a shaft;
• providing a mounting element, the mounting element comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the lower portion defines a socket for receiving the head of the screw, and wherein the upper portion defines a trough;
• providing a cross bar member, the cross bar member comprising a first end, a second end, and an annulus, wherein the first end is positionable within the trough, and wherein the second end defines a hole for receiving a rod, and wherein the annulus is positionable along a section of the cross bar member between the rod and the mounting element;
• and wherein the mounting element is configured to rotate polyaxially with respect to the screw during use, and wherein the cross bar member is configured to apply a compressive force to the mounting element such that the socket is made to substantially contract, and wherein the socket is configured such that contraction thereof secures the head of the screw within the socket during use, and wherein the annulus is configured to exert a compressive force on the rod such that the rod is compressed within the hole.