Patent ID: 7699874

Claim:
A spinal rod system, comprising: a connector including an elongate body extending along a central longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, said body including a bottom member extending between said first and second ends and a first clamping arm adjacent said first end defining a first receptacle with said bottom member and a second clamping arm adjacent said second end defining a second receptacle with said bottom member, said first receptacle extending along a first longitudinal axis offset to a first side of said central longitudinal axis and said second receptacle extending along a second longitudinal axis offset to a second side of said central longitudinal axis opposite said first side; a first elongated rod extending between a first end and an opposite second end, said first rod end-being axially received in said first receptacle of said connector along said first longitudinal axis with said first rod extending from said first end of said body in a direction away from said second end, said first clamping arm being bendable relative to said bottom member and around said first receptacle for engagement against said bottom member to clampingly engage said first rod in said first receptacle with said first clamping arm; and a second elongated rod extending between a first end and an opposite second end, said second rod being axially received in said second receptacle of said connector along said second longitudinal axis with said second rod extending from said second end of said body in a direction away from said first end and being clampingly engaged in said second receptacle with said second clamping arm, wherein said body includes a medial member extending from said bottom member and between first and second sides of said body, said first and second receptacles extending through said medial member.