Patent ID: 8876871

Claim:
A method for stabilizing spinal elements comprising the steps of: accessing posterior elements of the spine; positioning a transverse connector between adjacent spinous processes; wherein the transverse connector comprises: a first and a second locking element; and a transverse rod having opposing first and second ends, the first end being retained within a portion of the first locking element and the second end being retained within a portion of the second locking element; wherein the first locking element includes a connector body for engaging and capturing an elongated rod and the transverse rod simultaneously, wherein the connector body includes a clamping element and a spherical collet independent from the clamping element, wherein the clamping element receives the spherical collet therein, wherein the clamping element is a c-clamp having opposing ends and the spherical collet is positioned within the c-clamp and wherein the transverse rod can be translated and articulated in a plurality of multiple angles, wherein the connector body comprises a screw hole for receiving a screw, wherein as the screw is advanced through the screw hole, the opposing ends of the c-clamp are brought closer together to tighten the clamping element in order to capture the transverse rod and a distal tip of the screw applies pressure via direct contact to the elongated rod.