Patent ID: 9724131
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A spinal connector, comprising: a first spinal fixation element having a mating feature that defines an opening; and a connection assembly coupled to the mating feature such that at least a portion of the connection assembly is received within the opening of the mating feature, the connection assembly comprising: a clamp that defines a recess configured to receive a second spinal fixation element; and a locking element configured to selectively lock the clamp to the second spinal fixation element and to lock one or more degrees of freedom of the connection assembly, wherein the connection assembly comprises a housing having first and second shoes slidably disposed therein, the locking element being configured to push the first shoe into engagement with the mating feature to lock an orientation of the first spinal fixation element relative to the housing and to push the second shoe into engagement with the second spinal fixation element to lock the second spinal fixation element in the clamp, and wherein the portion of the connection assembly received within the opening of the mating feature comprises a post that extends laterally-outward from the housing, the mating feature being rotatable about the post.