Devices and methods for attaching a rod to a vertebral member

1. A device to connect a rod with a vertebral member comprising:

a bone anchor configured to attach to the vertebral member, the anchor having a centerline that extends between a distal end and a proximal end; and

offset first and second arms connected to the proximal end and forming a receiving section to receive the rod with the first arm on a first side of the receiving section and the second arm on a second opposite side of the receiving section, the receiving section including a distance between the arms that is adjustable between a first orientation having an enlarged distance and a second orientation having a smaller distance, the centerline extending through the receiving section in both the first and second orientations, the first and second arms extending outward along the centerline beyond the proximal end of the anchor;

the first and second arms positioned at the proximal end of the anchor and extending away from the anchor to receive the rod when the distal end of the anchor is attached to the vertebral member;

wherein an opening into the receiving section faces substantially away from the anchor; and

the first and second arms are rotatably connected to the proximal end such that the first and second arms rotate about the centerline.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are each movably positioned on the proximal end of the anchor to adjust the distance between the arms.

3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a third arm connected to the proximal end, with the first and third arms positioned on a first side of the receiving section and the second arm positioned on a second side of the receiving section.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first arm is positioned at a gap formed within the second arm.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the first and second arms are completely offset.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein an opening into the receiving section is laterally positioned at an angle away from the centerline.

7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a means for locking one of the first and second arms.

8. A device to connect a rod with a vertebral member comprising:

a bone anchor having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end configured to connect to the vertebral member; and

first and second members positioned at the proximal end and having arms that extend away from the anchor that form a receiving section with the first member positioned on a first side of the receiving section and the second member positioned on a second side of the receiving section, the arm of the first member being aligned with a gap in the second member;

the first and second members being movably connected to the proximal end to adjust a size of the receiving section between a first orientation having an enlarged size to receive the rod and a second orientation having a reduced size to contain the rod;

each of the first and second members being movable towards and away from each other and movable relative to the anchor to adjust a position of the receiving section relative to the anchor when the distal end of the anchor is connected to the vertebral member;

wherein an opening into the receiving section opens away from the anchor;

wherein the receiving section in the second orientation is misaligned with a centerline of the anchor.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein an opening into the receiving section is laterally positioned at an angle away from the centerline of the anchor.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein the receiving section in the first orientation is aligned with the centerline of the anchor.

11. The device of claim 8 , wherein the arms are completely offset.

12. The device of claim 8 , wherein the first and second members are rotatably connected to the anchor.

13. A device to connect a rod with a vertebral member comprising:

a pedicle screw having a distal end configured to connect with the vertebral member and a proximal end positioned to extend outward beyond the vertebral member when the distal end is connected with the vertebral member;

a first member positioned at the proximal end and having a first arm extending outward from the proximal end;

a second member positioned at the proximal end and having a second arm extending outward from the proximal end, the second member positioned opposite from the first member forming a receiving section therebetween;

at least one of the first and second members being slidably connected to the proximal end of the pedicle screw and laterally movable relative to the pedicle screw to adjust a size of the receiving section between a first orientation having an enlarged size to receive the rod and a second orientation having a reduced size to contain the rod;

a centerline of the pedicle screw extends through the receiving section in the second orientation; and

the first and second members being rotatably connected to the proximal end such that the first and second members rotate about the centerline.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the proximal end further comprises a recess sized to receive the second member.

15. The device of claim 13 , further comprising a locking mechanism to maintain the receiving section at the second orientation.

16. The device of claim 13 , wherein the receiving section includes an opening that is angularly offset from the centerline of the pedicle screw.