Patent ID: 8021399

Claim:
A spinal fusion extension implant for interconnecting to an existing fusion implant in a spine of a patient, the existing fusion implant including at least one existing pedicle screw, at least one subcutaneously located existing rod oriented in a cephalad-caudad orientation, the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod including a circumference, and at least one existing connector interconnecting the at least one existing pedicle screw to the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod, the spinal fusion extension implant comprising: a rod, wherein at least a portion of the rod is adapted to be substantially aligned with the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod; an offset beam connected to said rod and adapted to be oriented substantially parallel to the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod, the offset beam adapted for stepping around the at least one existing pedicle screw; and a clamp connected to said offset beam, wherein the clamp is adapted to be secured to the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod, the clamp including a receptacle comprising opposing arms that, when the clamp is implanted, extend around at least half of the circumference of the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod, but not completely around the circumference of the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod; a pedicle screw for screwing into the spine; and a connector for interconnecting the pedicle screw to the rod at an end of the rod opposite the clamp; wherein, after being implanted, the rod is oriented in the cephalad-caudad orientation, and the rod, offset beam, clamp, pedicle screw and connector are all located subcutaneously; and wherein a rigid connection is formed between the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod and the rod when the clamp is secured to the at least one subcutaneously located existing rod.