Patent ID: 8608781

Claim:
A surgical method comprising: attaching a first elongate spinal fixation element along one side of a spinal column of a patient; attaching a second elongate spinal fixation element along an opposite side of the spinal column; contacting a transconnector to said first and second elongate spinal fixation elements, wherein said transconnector comprises a first member having a first coupling portion configured and dimensioned to receive one of said first and second elongate spinal fixation elements, a first elongate transconnector member extending from said first coupling portion; a second member having a second coupling portion configured and dimensioned to receive the other of said first and second elongate spinal fixation elements, an end portion extending from said second coupling portion; and a joint assembly joining said first elongate transconnector member with said end portion, said joint assembly comprising a rotational member including mating threads configured to engage threads of a single actuator, said rotational member comprising an open end and a closed end, said open end and said closed end being aligned with a longitudinal axis of said rotational member; said rotational member further comprising an opening configured to receive said first elongate transconnector member, said opening configured to receive said first elongate transconnector member extending transversely through side walls of a lower end portion of said rotational member; allowing said transconnector to self adjust as said first and second coupling members receive said first and second elongate spinal fixation members, wherein adjusting movement capabilities during self adjustment include translation, axial rotation about an axis of translation of said first elongate transconnector member and rotation about an axis perpendicular to said axis of translation of said first elongate transconnector member, of said first member relative to said second member; and after said transconnector has self adjusted, locking said joint assembly via actuation of said single actuator, wherein said locking prevents said translation, said axial rotation about an axis of translation and said rotation about an axis perpendicular to said axis of translation and prevents translation and rotation of said first coupling portion relative to said second coupling portion.