Patent ID: 8828055
Filing Date: 2014-09-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A transverse connector for vertebral fixation systems comprising: a first end, a second end, and a center, the first and second ends of the transverse connector are configured to be located on first and second lateral sides of a vertebral column and the center of the transverse connector is medial relative to the first and second ends; a first connector body comprising a first hooked end at a lateral end of the first connector body for engaging a first elongate member, a first locking member, a through bore that houses the first locking member, the through bore located medial to the first engaging member, a passage having a first opening in a medial end of the through bore and a second opening at a medial end of the first connector body, and a pushing member housed in the passage such that a lateral surface of the pushing member contacts the first locking member through the first opening; a second connector body comprising a second engaging member for engaging a second elongate member; a transverse rod coupled to the first connector body and the second connector body; and a pivot joint disposed on a first end of the transverse rod and configured to couple with the first connector body wherein the pivot joint comprises a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the transverse rod and is housed in the connector body passage, wherein the first locking member comprises a first locking nut with a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer cylindrical surface, and a first contacting saddle with a top surface which corresponds to the bottom surface of the first locking nut and a bottom surface which corresponds to a surface of the first elongate member; wherein the first locking member has a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the unlocked position the transverse rod may pivot at the pivot joint about the longitudinal axis of the pivot joint in a defined plane, and wherein in the locked position, the first locking member is configured such that the outer cylindrical surface of the locking nut pushes the pushing member medially to lock the pivot joint against the medial end of the first connector body and such that the bottom surface of the locking nut pushes on the contacting saddle such that the bottom surface of the contacting saddle pushes the first elongate member against the first hooked end of the first connector body.