Patent ID: 8672978
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A transverse connector for coupling between first and second vertebral anchors of a spinal stabilization system, the transverse connector comprising: a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the transverse connector; a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the transverse connector; a first fastener having external threading configured to threadably engage an internal threaded portion of a housing of the first vertebral anchor, the first fastener including a spherical upper surface; a second fastener having external threading configured to threadably engage an internal threaded portion of a housing of the second vertebral anchor, the second fastener including a spherical upper surface; wherein a spherical surface of the first coupling assembly mates with the spherical upper surface of the first fastener and a spherical surface of the second coupling assembly mates with the spherical upper surface of the second fastener; wherein each of the first and second fasteners is a monolithic member including an upper spherical portion including the spherical upper surface and a lower threaded portion including the external threading; wherein the upper spherical portion includes a threaded bore extending along a longitudinal axis of each of the first and second fasteners, the threaded bore having a major diameter that is constant from an upper portion of the threaded bore to a lower portion of the threaded bore, and a minor diameter that tapers from a larger diameter proximate the upper portion of the threaded bore to a smaller diameter proximate the lower portion of the threaded bore; and wherein the threaded bore includes a thread having a crest defining the minor diameter, where the crest includes a planar surface parallel to the longitudinal axis.