Patent ID: 8287570

Claim:
A spinous process anchoring system, comprising: a primary transverse linking member including a length extending along an axis between opposite first and second ends sized to extend through a spinous process in a transverse orientation to a sagittal plane of the spinal column; a secondary transverse linking member positionable to be spaced from and extending generally parallel to said first primary transverse linking member and including a length between opposite first and second ends sized to extend through the spinous process; and a pair of coupling assemblies, each for coupling an elongate connecting member along the spinal column, at least one of said coupling assemblies being mounted to said first ends of each of said primary and secondary transverse linking members and the other of said coupling assemblies being mounted to at least said second end of said primary transverse linking member, wherein said engagement with said secondary transverse linking member resists rotation of the anchoring system about the axis of the primary transverse linking member and, wherein the other of said coupling assemblies includes a coupling member including a hub portion positioned about said respective end of said primary transverse linking member and an arm extending from said hub portion, said arm defining a bore for receiving said respective end of said secondary transverse linking member, said coupling member further including a receiver portion defining a passage transversely oriented to said primary transverse linking member for receiving the elongate connecting member therethrough, wherein said hub portion includes a bore for receiving an anchor therethrough to engage said primary transverse linking member and secure said coupling member in position along said primary transverse linking member, wherein said arm of said coupling member is slidably received between said hub portion and said receiver portion, said arm including a slot aligned with said bore in said hub portion, wherein said anchor secures said arm in position relative to said hub portion and said receiver portion.