Patent ID: 8343166
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A radiolucent connector for maintaining a plurality of bone fixation elements immovable relative to one another and to a bone fixation frame to which the connector is coupled, the connector comprising: a shaft including a first spherically contoured bearing surface at a first end thereof; a first clamping mechanism including a second bearing surface surrounding and engaging the first bearing surface; a second clamping mechanism abutting the first clamping mechanism and including a first recess therein sized to receive a first bone fixation element; a third clamping mechanism abutting the second clamping mechanism operative to apply a compressive force urging opposite sides of the first recess of the second clamping mechanism toward one another to fix the first bone fixation element therein and urging the second clamping mechanism against the first clamping mechanism to engage the first and second bearing surfaces to resist pivotal movement of the shaft relative to the first clamping mechanism; and a housing coupled to the first clamping mechanism, the housing including a further recess sized to receive a further bone fixation element and align the further bone fixation element coaxially with the shaft.