Patent ID: 8057518
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A spanning connector for connecting a spinal fixation element to an offset bone anchor, the spanning connector comprising: a first connecting mechanism for coupling the spanning connector to the bone anchor, wherein the spanning connector is directly coupled with a head of the bore anchor; a second connecting mechanism for coupling the spanning connector to a previously inserted spinal fixation element; and a connector body for coupling the first connecting mechanism with the second connecting mechanism, wherein the connector body is rotatable between an insertion configuration where a central axis of the connector body is substantially parallel to a shaft of the bone anchor and an engagement configuration where the central axis is substantially perpendicular to the shaft of the bone anchor, wherein the connector body comprises an access channel extending through the connector body and parallel to the central axis of the connector body, the access channel for allowing tool access to the head of the bone anchor when the connector body is in the insertion configuration; wherein the first connecting mechanism comprises a rotatable coupling disposed at a first end of the connector body for rotatably coupling the first end of the connector body to the head of the bone anchor, the rotatable coupling configured to permit the connector body to rotate between the insertion configuration and the engagement configuration; wherein the second connection mechanism comprises an engaging elongate recess formed on a surface of the connector body, which faces the shaft of the bone anchor, to engage the spinal fixation element in the engagement configuration; and wherein the engaging elongate recess is configured to engage the spinal fixation element from above when the connector body is rotated from the insertion configuration to the engagement configuration.