Patent ID: 8795337

Claim:
An apparatus for implementing a spinal fixation system with supplemental fixation, comprising: a spinal fixation rod assembly adapted to provide primary fixation at a plurality of first fixation points on a plurality of first vertebral components of a spine, said assembly comprising a spinal fixation rod, and a plurality of first anchor members connected to said spinal fixation rod and anchored to one of the plurality of first vertebral components; and at least one supplemental fixation device adapted to provide supplemental fixation for said spinal fixation rod assembly at a second fixation point on a second vertebral component of the spine, said supplemental fixation device comprising a second anchor member anchored to the second vertebral component of the spine located adjacent to and offset from a first vertebral component, said second anchor member including a coupler extending along an axis between an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion forming a first joint part, said coupler including a transverse bore extending transverse to the axis through the upper portion, and an anchor having a lower portion adapted to be anchored to the second vertebral component and an upper portion forming a second joint part mated with said first joint part so as to form a joint therewith defining a multi-axial pivot relationship between said anchor and said coupler of said second anchor member, and a fixation rod connector interconnecting said second anchor member with said spinal fixation rod of said spinal fixation rod assembly, said fixation rod connector including an extension coupler secured on said spinal fixation rod, a distal end of said extension coupler including jaws which partially encompass the spinal fixation rod, and an extension member having a first end portion disposed in said bore of said upper portion of said coupler of said second anchor device such that the extension member is perpendicular to the axis, said extension member extending laterally to a second end portion disposed adjacent to said spinal fixation rod, said extension coupler connected with said second end portion of said extension member.