Patent ID: 8029543

Claim:
A cross-connector assembly for interconnecting a pair of orthopedic rods, said assembly comprising: an interconnection element including a first body and a stud, said first body having a first aperture formed therein and said stud extending from the body, said first aperture including an upper portion formed having a lobed shape; a first rod connector including a first shaft terminating in a first rod engaging portion and a lobe extending laterally from an end of said first shaft and displaced axially along said first shaft from the first rod engaging portion, wherein in a first orientation between said first rod connector and said interconnection element a portion of said first shaft and said lobe are slideably positionable within the first aperture such that said lobe passes through said first aperture and upon rotation of said first rod connector relative to said interconnection element from said first orientation to any other orientation said lobe prevents said first rod connector from being removed from said first aperture; a second rod connector including a second shaft having a second body carried thereon, said second body having a second aperture formed therein, said second aperture having the stud received therein; and a fastener configured to engage with the stud; and wherein said interconnection element includes a pair of flanges extending outwardly diametrically opposite each other circumferentially about an external surface of said first body, and said second body includes a pair of internal flanges in said second aperture, wherein said flanges of said interconnection element allow said flanges of said second body to pass through gaps between said flanges of said interconnection element during assembly and upon rotation of said second body said flanges of said interconnection element engage said flanges of said second body.