Connector implant for extending a spinal construct

A spinal rod connector assembly for elongating an in situ spinal posterior rod system, the spinal rod connector assembly comprising:

• a bone fastener;
• at least one rod fastener;
• and
• a rod connector that includes:
• an elongated bar;
• and
• a first connector head that includes:
• a first pocket defined by a first pocket bottom seat,
• a first pocket end seat,
• opposing first pocket side walls,
• a first end entrance, at least a portion of which is opposite to the first pocket end seat, and
• a first top entrance opposite to the first pocket bottom seat, the first top entrance defining a top side for the rod connector,
• wherein:
• the first pocket is configured to directly receive, or to indirectly receive by means of a first insert in the first pocket, a first rod defining a first rod central axis, the first pocket including a first pocket locking feature,
• the at least one rod fastener includes a fastener locking feature for engaging with the first pocket locking feature,
• the elongated bar extends from a first connector head side, which is opposite to at least a portion of the first end entrance,
• wherein the elongated bar has a cross-sectional diameter orthogonally to its longitudinal axis at most 10 mm and is sized and shaped to be received by the bone fastener, wherein the elongated bar has a circular or oval cross section orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the elongated bar, providing rotational flexibility along the longitudinal axis of the elongated bar when received within the bone fastener, wherein the first top entrance and the first end entrance, which is open to the top side, allow the first rod to be engaged in the first pocket through the top side to allow the longitudinal axis of the elongated bar and the first rod central axis to be aligned when the first rod is engaged in the first pocket, and wherein the first end entrance allows the first rod to protrude from the first pocket in an assembled state of the spinal rod connector assembly when the longitudinal axis of the elongated bar and the first rod central axis are aligned,
• wherein the bone fastener comprises a head portion including a recess, and wherein the elongated bar is received in the recess for rigidly fixating the rod connector to the bone fastener in the assembled state of the spinal rod connector assembly,
• a second connector head connected by the elongated bar to the first connector head, the elongated bar forming a space between the first and second connector heads, the second connector head including:
• a second pocket defined by a second pocket bottom seat,
• a second pocket end seat,
• opposing second pocket side walls,
• a second end entrance, at least a portion of which being opposite to the second pocket end seat, and
• a second top entrance opposite to the second pocket bottom seat, the second pocket being configured to directly receive, or to indirectly receive by means of a second insert in the second pocket, a second rod, wherein:
• the second pocket includes a second pocket locking feature, and
• the first and second end entrances are located at opposite ends of the rod connector, wherein:
• the first connector head defines a first central plane extending between the first pocket bottom seat and the first top entrance,
• the second connector head defines a second central plane extending between the second pocket bottom seat and the second top entrance, and
• the first and second central planes are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other, or at least one of the first and second central planes is located offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated bar.