Patent ID: 7137986

Claim:
A transconnector for coupling first and second longitudinal spinal rods, the transconnector comprising: a first member having a first hook portion sized and configured to engage the first longitudinal spinal rod and a projection associated with the first hook portion, the first hook portion having a through hole therein, and the projection having an aperture, the first member further comprising a shaft member extending through both the through hole and the aperture forming an axis of rotation about which the first hook portion can articulate with respect to the projection; a second member having a second hook portion sized and configured to engage the second longitudinal spinal rod and a cavity having at least one opening sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the projection; and a locking assembly for securing different separation distances and angular orientation between the first and second members, the locking assembly having a first end accessible by a user to rotate at least a portion of the locking assembly to prevent at least one of the translational or rotational movement of the first member with respect to the second member; wherein the locking assembly has at least a first position permitting the first member to slide and rotate with respect to the second member, with the first hook portion of the first member at a user selected angle relative to the second hook portion, and at least a second position preventing at least one of translational or rotational movement of the first member with respect to the second member.