Patent ID: 7959653
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: A61B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A cross connector traversing a spinal column and connecting a pair of spinal fixation rods extending along the spinal column, the cross connector comprising: a first part, the first part comprising a first hook at a first end thereof to couple to a first of the pair of spinal fixation rods, a connection bore at a second end opposite the first end thereof to couple to the second part, the connection bore having a first diameter and a second diameter greater than the first diameter such that the connection bore forms a recessed area with a counterbore formed at the second diameter, and a first arm traversing a first portion of the spinal column between the first end and the second end; a second part, the second part comprising a second hook at a first end thereof to couple to a second of the pair of spinal fixation rods, a shank end at a second end opposite the first end thereof to couple to the first part, and a second arm traversing a second portion of the spinal column between the first end and the second end; and a coupling device to couple the first part to the second part, the coupling device having a coupling device shank to extend through the connection bore and a socket through which the shank end extends such that the first arm is pivotally and rotationally connected to the second arm, a coupling device nut, the coupling device shank having a threaded end configured to extend through the connection bore a first pad, the first pad to engage the first of the pair of spinal fixation rods opposite the first hook, the first pad and the first hook having surfaces to cooperatively engage the first of the pair of spinal fixation rods, and the first pad having a necked-down portion; a second pad, the second pad to engage the second of the pair of spinal fixation rods opposite the second hook, the second pad and the second hook having surfaces to cooperatively engage the second of the pair of spinal fixation rods, and the second pad having a necked-down portion; the first pad and the second pad being movable between an attached position where the surfaces cooperatively engage the spinal fixation rods and an un-attached position where the cross connector can be fitted onto the spinal fixation rods; a first groove in the first part, the first pad being movable in the first groove between the attached position and the un-attached position, the first groove having a ledge, and the necked-down portion of the first pad and the ledge of the first groove configured to selectively position the first pad with respect to the first part; a first setscrew bore in the first part to receive a first setscrew, the first setscrew moving being threadable to move the first pad between the attached position and the un-attached position; a second groove in the second part, the second pad being movable in the second groove between the attached position and the un-attached position, the first groove having a ledge, and the necked-down portion of the second pad and the ledge of the second groove configured to selectively position the second pad with respect to the second part; and a second setscrew bore in the second part to receive a second setscrew, the second setscrew being threadable to move the second pad between the attached position and the un-attached position.