Patent ID: 7297107

Claim:
A surgical joint comprising: a first clamping member comprising a first clamping surface for engaging a first surgical rod and an attachment end; a second clamping member mounted with respect to the first clamping member wherein the second clamping member comprises a second clamping surface for engaging a second surgical rod; a shaft disposed through and positioned within the attachment end of the first clamping member and wherein the shaft is in communication with the second clamping member; and a camming mechanism having a handle fixedly attached thereto and wherein the camming mechanism directly contacts an external surface of the handle and wherein the camming mechanism is disposed between the first and second clamping members and disposed about the shaft wherein when the camming mechanism and the shaft are movable with respect to each other to position the first and second clamping members in either a non-clamping position or a clamping position by gripping and applying a manual force to the handle.