# US 11,298,158 B2 · Connectors for use in systems and methods for reducing the risk of proximal junctional kyphosis > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,158 B2 - Document ID: US11298158B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/584,597 - Filed: 2019-09-26 - Published: 2020-01-16 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-31 - Assignees: Medos International Sarl - Applicants: Medos International Sarl - Inventors: Christopher Mickiewicz; Michael O'Neil; Connor Engstrom; Michael O'Brien; Christopher Ames; Munish Gupta; Matthew Scott-Young - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298158B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7043: {with a longitudinal element fixed to one or more transverse elements which connect multiple screws or hooks} - A61B 17/7047: {Clamps comprising opposed elements which grasp one vertebra between them} - A61B 17/7049: {Connectors, not bearing on the vertebrae, for linking longitudinal elements together (A61B17/7055, A61B17/7053, A61B17/7019 take precedence)} - A61B 17/7067: {Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor} - A61B 2017/7073: {with intervertebral connecting element crossing an imaginary spinal median surface} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Systems and methods for reducing the risk of PJK, PJF, and other conditions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a longitudinal extension can be added to a primary fixation construct to extend the construct to one or more additional vertebral levels. The extension can be attached to a first attachment point, such as a spinous process of a vertebra that is superior to the primary construct. The extension can also be attached to a second attachment point, such as a component of the primary construct or an anatomical structure disposed inferior to the first attachment point. The extension can be more flexible than the primary construct and/or can limit motion to a lesser degree than the primary construct, thereby providing a more-gradual transition from the instrumented vertebrae to the natural patient anatomy adjacent thereto. The extension can be placed with little or no soft tissue disruption. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical system, comprising: a primary construct comprising a rigid spinal fixation rod and first and second bone anchors configured to attach the rigid spinal fixation rod to first and second vertebrae; and a connector comprising: a main body having at least one attachment point for attaching the connector to the primary construct; and first and second arms extending in a superior direction from the main body, wherein the first arm and the second arm are at least one of selectively independently translatable relative to the main body along a longitudinal axis of the respective arm and rotatable relative to the main body about a longitudinal axis thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment point comprises first and second rod receiving recesses disposed at opposite ends of the main body, and wherein the main body includes a transverse strut extending between the first and second rod receiving recesses, and wherein the first and second arms extend superiorly from the transverse strut. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms include bone engaging teeth or surface features formed thereon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are shaped to wrap around the superior edge of a spinous process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are shaped to simultaneously contact a lateral surface of a spinous process and a superior surface of said spinous process. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a locking mechanism configured to lock a position and/or orientation of the first and second arms relative to the main body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the arms are more flexible than the rigid spinal fixation rod. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms extend superiorly from the main body by a length of at least two vertebral levels of an adult human patient. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms include apertures for receiving a fastener therethrough. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms merge into a single arm as they approach the main body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a collar that is rotatable and/or slidable relative to the first and second arms to move the first and second arms towards one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the collar includes an interior thread engaged with an exterior thread of the first and second arms, at least one of the interior and exterior threads being tapered. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an elongate flexible tether insertable through one or more openings formed in the main body of the connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the main body includes one or more locking elements configured to clamp onto the elongate flexible tether when the elongate flexible tether is disposed through the one or more openings. ### Claim 15 A surgical system, comprising: a primary construct comprising a rigid spinal fixation rod and first and second bone anchors configured to attach the rigid spinal fixation rod to first and second vertebrae; and a connector comprising: a main body having at least one attachment point for attaching the connector to the primary construct; first and second arms extending in a superior direction from the main body, and a collar that the first arm and the second arm extend through, wherein the collar is configured to at least one of rotate or slide relative to the first arm and the second arm to move the arms towards one another. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The surgical system of claim 15, wherein the collar includes an interior thread engaged with an exterior thread of the arms, at least one of the interior and exterior threads being tapered. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The surgical system of claim 15, wherein the first and second arms are shaped to wrap around the superior edge of the spinous process. ### Claim 18 A surgical system, comprising: a primary construct comprising a rigid spinal fixation rod and first and second bone anchors configured to attach the rigid spinal fixation rod to first and second vertebrae; and a connector comprising: a main body having at least one attachment point for attaching the connector to the primary construct; and first and second arms extending in a superior direction from the main body, wherein the first and second arms are shaped to simultaneously contact a lateral surface of a spinous process and a superior surface of said spinous process.