Patent ID: 7481827

Claim:
A transconnector for coupling first and second longitudinal spinal rods, each spinal rod having a longitudinal axis, the transconnector comprising: a pair of hook members, each hook member having a recess for receiving one of the longitudinal spinal rods and a through bore having an axis, the axis of the through bore being orientated substantially perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal spinal rod; a pair of wedge members, each wedge member received within the through bore formed in its respective hook member, the wedge members having locked and unlocked positions so that when in the locked position, the wedge member contacts the spinal rod located in the recess of the hook member thereby securing the position of the spinal rod with respect to the hook member; a lateral rod for interconnecting the hook members, the lateral rod having a first end and a second end; and a pair of locking elements for interconnecting the hook members with the lateral rod, each locking element comprising a locking sleeve and a bushing, the locking sleeve slidably moveable along the lateral rod, the bushing positionable between the locking sleeve and the hook member, and slidably moveable along the locking sleeve; wherein each locking element has an unlocked configuration in which the locking element may move relative to the lateral rod, and a locked configuration in which the locking element is fixed relative to the lateral rod.