Patent ID: 9737341
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system, the transverse connector comprising: a connector arm having a first end portion, a second end portion and a bridge member extending therebetween, the first end portion having a first through hole extending from a top surface to a bottom surface and the second end portion having a second through hole extending from a top surface to a bottom surface, wherein the connector arm further includes a first upper pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface adjacent to the first through hole, and a second upper pair of dovetail grooves extending along the top surface adjacent to the second through hole; a first coupling assembly proximate the first end portion of the connector arm, the first coupling assembly comprising: a first sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first sleeve aperture extending between the top surface and the bottom surface; a first insert extending through the first sleeve aperture and first through hole, the first insert having a first end region and a second end region; and a first locking mechanism coupled to the first insert and having a dovetail groove extending around a perimeter of a lower portion thereof configured to slidably engage the first upper pair of dovetail grooves of the connector arm; a second coupling assembly proximate the second end portion of the connector arm, the second coupling assembly comprising: a second sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface, an a second sleeve aperture extending between the top surface and the bottom surface; a second insert extending through the second sleeve aperture and second through hole, the second insert having a first end region and a second end region; and a second locking mechanism coupled to the second insert and having a dovetail groove extending around a perimeter of a lower portion thereof configured to slidably engage the second upper pair of dovetail grooves of the connector arm.