Patent ID: 7104993

Claim:
A cross link system for stabilizing and connecting a pair of spinal rods comprising a bar having a longitudinal axis with a first connector on one end and a second connector on the other end, said first connector having a first groove transverse to said longitudinal axis of said bar for passage of a spinal rod, a first lock mounted on said first connector with a first actuator arm adapted to extend into said first groove, said first arm movable to obstruct said first groove to frictionally engage said first connector and one of the spinal rods, said second connector having a second groove transverse to said longitudinal axis of said bar for passage of another spinal rod, said bar comprises a first shaft and a second shaft, said first shaft and said second shaft joined by a pin, said pin having a U-shape with upstanding free ends supporting a portion of said first shaft, said second shaft having a bore, said free ends of said pin passing through said bore, a fastener engaging said free ends and said bore securing said pin and said first shaft and said second shaft together, said first shaft has a portion of reduced thickness along said longitudinal axis adjacent to said bore in said second shaft, said reduced thickness defined by a shoulder on each end, a piston located in said reduced thickness and extending into said bore, said piston having opposed flanges extending along said reduced thickness, said flanges adapted to contact said shoulders during relative movement of said first shaft and said second shaft in said longitudinal axis and translate shear forces to said piston.