Patent ID: 6328741
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A transverse connector (10) comprising a pair of transverse connector bodies (12,14) including connector means (16,18) for connecting a rod (20,22) to each of said transverse connector bodies (12,14) and interconnecting means for interconnecting said pair of transverse connector bodies (12,14) along an axis (62) defined by said interconnection means comprises length locking means for locking said transverse connector bodies (12,14) at a predetermined one of a plurality of distances apart along axis (62) defined by said length locking means and rotation locking means for preventing relative rotation about said axis between said transverse connector bodies (12,14), said length locking means including a male portion (64) extending from one of said transverse connector bodies (14) and a female portion (66) within the other of said transverse body portions (12), said locking means including a pair of threaded portions (68,70) on said male portion (64) separated by flat portions (72,74) and said female portion (66) including threaded (76,78) and flat portions (80,82) symmetric with said threaded and flat portions (68,70,72,74) of said male portion (64), said flat portions (80,82) of said female portion (66) being recessed for allowing sliding mating seating of said male portion (64) into said female portion (66) without engagement of said threaded male portions (68,70) with said flat portions (80,82) of said female portion (66), said threaded portions (76,78) of said female portion (68) being spaced for threaded engagement with said threaded male portions (68,70) so that rotation of said male portion (64) relative to said female portion (66) engages and disengages said threaded portions.