Claims
- 1. A cross connector for linking longitudinal members engaged to a spine, the cross connector comprising:
a first connector for attaching to a first one of the longitudinal members; a second connector for attaching to a second one of the longitudinal members; a linkage between the first and second connectors; and at least one polyaxial joint located between the first and second connectors.
- 2. A cross connector according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises the polyaxial joint.
- 3. A cross connector according to claim 1 wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a first clamping member and a second clamping member, and a fastener adapted to hold the first clamping member and second clamping member tightly together whereby to grasp one of the longitudinal members.
- 4. A cross connector according to claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the at least one polyaxial joint is disposed between the first clamping member and the second clamping member whereby when the fastener holds the first clamping member and second clamping member tightly together, said portion is squeezed to prevent rotation of the at least one polyaxial joint.
- 5. A cross connector according to claim 4 wherein the first clamping member has a first surface adapted to engage one of the longitudinal members and wherein the second clamping member has a second surface adapted to engage one of the longitudinal members and wherein the fastener is located between the at least a portion of the polyaxial joint and the first and second surfaces.
- 6. A cross connector according to claim 1 wherein the at least one polyaxial joint comprises a convex surface portion on the linkage and a bearing surface on one of the first and second connectors.
- 7. A cross connector according to claim 6 wherein the convex portion is spherical.
- 8. A cross connector according to claim 6 wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a first clamping member and a second clamping member, and a fastener adapted to hold the first clamping member and second clamping member tightly together whereby to grasp one of the longitudinal members and wherein the convex portion is disposed between the first clamping member and the second clamping member.
- 9. A cross connector according to claim 1 wherein the linkage is curved whereby to arch over a patient's spine.
- 10. A cross connector according to claim 9 wherein the linkage comprises a first transverse member and a second transverse member connected in sliding relationship to each other whereby to alter a length of the linkage.
- 11. A cross connector according to claim 10 wherein one of the first and second transverse members bears at least one groove and the other of the first and second transverse members bears at least one spline slidably received within said groove and wherein the spline fits within the groove with an interference fit when compressed together whereby to prevent sliding of the first and second transverse members with respect to each other.
- 12. A cross connector according to claim 1 wherein the polyaxial joint comprises a curved surface connected to one of the first connector and second connector and a mating surface thereto connected to the other of the first connector and second connector, the curved surface and mating surface being adapted for movement in three degrees of freedom over one another.
- 13. A cross connector according to claim 12 wherein the curved surface comprises a convex surface and the mating surface is a complementary concave surface.
- 14. A cross connector according to claim 13 and further comprising a first threaded aperture penetrating the convex surface, a second aperture through a portion of the cross connector bearing the concave surface and a threaded connector passing through the second aperture and threading into the first aperture to fix the convex surface to the concave surface.
- 15. A cross connector according to claim 14 wherein the second aperture is wider than the threaded connector.
- 16. A cross connector for linking longitudinal members engaged to a spine, the cross connector comprising:
a first connector for attaching to a first one of the longitudinal members; a second connector for attaching to a second one of the longitudinal members; and a linkage between the first and second connectors; wherein the linkage is curved whereby to arch over a patient's spine and comprises a first transverse member and a second transverse member connected in sliding relationship to each other whereby to alter a length of the linkage.
- 17. A cross connector according to claim 16 wherein one of the first and second transverse members bears at least one groove and the other of the first and second transverse members bears at least one spline slidably received within said groove and wherein the spline fits within the groove with an interference fit when compressed together whereby to prevent sliding of the first and second transverse members with respect to each other.
- 18. A cross connector according to claim 1 wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a camming member which cams over one of the longitudinal members trapping the longitudinal member between the camming member and a surface in the connector.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/328,748 filed Oct. 12, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60328748 |
Oct 2001 |
US |