Patent ID: 6613050
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A connector for connecting spinal fixation components to a spinal rod, comprising:a lower section, the lower section comprising a first arm and a second arm that form an opening for receiving the spinal rod, and wherein portions of surfaces of the first arm and the second arm that define the opening comprise non-threaded, textured surfaces configured to have large coefficients of friction with respect to the spinal rod; an upper section, the upper section defining a slot communicating with the opening in the lower section, wherein the slot terminates in an enlarged opening in the upper section; and wherein the arms are deflectable to cause widening of a portion of the slot and widening of a width of the opening to allow the spinal rod to be placed into the opening, and wherein the arms are deflectable to cause narrowing of a portion of the slot and narrowing of the width of the opening to allow for frictional engagement of the spinal rod by the non-threaded, textured surfaces of the first arm and second arm during use to inhibit movement of the connector with respect to the spinal rod.