Patent ID: 6306137
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: A61B,F16B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A transconnector for coupling first and second elongate spinal fixation elements that have different orientations, the transconnector comprising:a male member comprising a body with a lateral end and a medial end, a linking element associated with the lateral end and being configured and dimensioned to receive one of the fixation elements, and a projection extending from the medial end;a female member comprising a body with a lateral end and a medial end, a linking element associated with the lateral end and being configured and dimensioned to receive one of the fixation elements, and a cavity with an opening on the medial end which is configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the projection;a locking member for adjustably and rotatably securing the projection portion in the cavity in order to accommodate different orientations and separation distances between the first and second fixation elements;a pin having a diameter and extending perpendicularly from a longitudinal axis of the projection; anda slot located on a wall of the female member cavity,wherein side edges of the slot angle outwardly and the pin is slideable in the slot for adjusting the portion of the projection received in the cavity and the slot has a width which is wider than the diameter of the pin to allow rotational movement of the pin in the slot and rotation of the projection in the cavity.