Patent ID: 7628799
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A transverse connector for rigidly connecting first and second spinal rods to each other comprising: a transverse connecting member; a first clamping assembly for rigidly attaching said transverse connecting member to a first spinal rod, said first clamping assembly comprising: a first clamping body including a first channel for receiving said first spinal rod; a second clamping body including a second channel for receiving said transverse connecting member and a hole transverse to said second channel; and a collar extending from said first clamping body into said hole of said second clamping body, said collar comprising a plurality of resilient flanges; and a second clamping assembly for rigidly attaching said transverse connecting member to a second spinal rod, said first clamping body further comprising a hole coaxial with and through said collar, said hole being at least partially threaded and comprising a screw extending through said hole of said first clamping body and said hole of said second clamping body for connecting said first and second clamping bodies together, wherein said screw comprises a head and a threaded shank and wherein a portion of said hole of said second clamping body intersects said second channel of said second clamping body such that said head of said screw will bear against the transverse connecting member disposed in said second channel of said second clamping body thereby rigidly fixing said transverse connecting member in said second channel.