Patent ID: 7666210

Claim:
An intervertebral connection system for stabilizing the spine of a patient, comprising: a first connecting device comprising a support having a first channel for receiving a crossbar therein; opposing jaws hingedly mounted to the support by a common hinge pin for receiving a first osteosynthesis rod therebetween, each jaw including a clamping surface constructed and arranged for clamping the first osteosynthesis rod, and a supporting surface arranged for supporting a crossbar within the first channel in a direction transverse to the first osteosynthesis rod; a return spring mounted so as to bias the jaws closer to one another independently of the crossbar, wherein the jaws clamp the first osteosynthesis rod for ensuring a stable mounting of the connection system onto the first osteosynthesis rod; and a locking device operable with the support for biasing the crossbar against the supporting surface of the jaws for clamping the rod therewith; a second connecting device comprising a support having a second channel for receiving a crossbar therein; opposing jaws hingedly mounted to the support by a common hinge pin for receiving a second osteosynthesis rod therebetween, each jaw including a clamping surface constructed and arranged for clamping the second osteosynthesis rod, and a supporting surface arranged for supporting a crossbar within the channel in a direction transverse to the second osteosynthesis rod; a return spring mounted so as to bias the jaws closer to one another independently of the crossbar, wherein the jaws clamp the second osteosynthesis rod for ensuring a stable mounting of the connection system onto the osteosynthesis rod; and a locking device operable with the support for biasing the crossbar against the supporting surface of the jaws for clamping the rod therewith; and a crossbar transverse to the first and second osteosynthesis rods and received within the first and second channels and biased by the locking means of the first connecting device and the second connecting device against the supporting surfaces of the first connecting device and the second connecting device, respectively.