Patent ID: 8147519

Claim:
A device to connect first and second spinal rods comprising: a connector including first and second members pivotally connected together at an intermediate hinge, the first member including a first longitudinal bore to receive the first spinal rod and the second member including a second longitudinal bore to receive the second spinal rod, the first and second longitudinal bores being positioned to position the first and second spinal rods in an end-to-end orientation; the first member including a first opening to receive a first fastener to secure the first spinal rod within the first longitudinal bore, and a first window with a major axis that aligns with the first longitudinal bore to visually observe the first spinal rod in the first longitudinal bore, each of the first opening and the first window extending into the first longitudinal bore; the second member including a second opening to receive a second fastener to secure the second spinal rod within the second longitudinal bore, and a second window with a major axis that aligns with the second longitudinal bore to visually observe the second spinal rod in the second longitudinal bore, each of the second opening and the second window extending into the second longitudinal bore; the second member further including a third opening to receive a third fastener that engages with the hinge to lock an angular position of the first and second members; the second window being spaced away and separate from the second opening and being disposed directly between the second opening and the third opening, wherein the third opening extends into the second member at an acute angle relative to the second longitudinal bore.