Rod to Rod Connector

A rod to rod connector comprising:

• a main body having a channel with a wall for receiving a spinal rod therein, an opening for receiving a fastener, and at least one tang adjacent to the opening;
• a pivot body pivotally connected to the main body, the pivot body being pivotable so as to clamp the spinal rod between the pivot body and the wall of the channel;
• a cross bar having first and second ends and having an opening adjacent the first end thereof, the opening being aligned substantially with the opening of the main body and having the tang disposed therein;
• a fastener for rigidly coupling the cross bar to the main body, the fastener being positioned within the openings of the cross bar and the main body, wherein the fastener is operable to force the tang into the cross bar to clamp the cross bar to the main body and simultaneously pivots the pivot body to clamp the spinal rod;
• and
• an assembly adjacent the second end of the cross bar having a rod receiving channel.

A rod to rod connector comprising:

• a first body having a first rod receiving channel for receiving a first spinal rod therein, a first clamp including a rod engaging surface, the first clamp pivotably coupled to the first body such that the rod engaging surface is pivotable into the rod receiving channel, the first body further comprising a hole transverse the rod receiving channel and tangs extending from the hole;
• a second body having a second rod receiving channel for receiving a second spinal rod therein, a second clamp including a rod engaging surface, the second clamp pivotably coupled to the second body such that the rod engaging surface is pivotable into the rod receiving channel, the second body further comprising a hole transverse the rod receiving channel and tangs extending from the hole;
• a cross bar having a first end with a first hole adjacent the first end, the hole being aligned substantially with the hole of the first body and having the tangs of the first body disposed therein and further having a second end with a second hole adjacent the second end, the second hole being aligned substantially with the hole of the second body and having the tangs of the second body disposed therein;
• a first screw positioned within the first hole of the cross bar and the hole of the first body body, wherein advancement of the first screw into the hole of the first body forces the tangs of the first body into the cross bar to clamp the cross bar to the first body and simultaneously pivots the first clamp to engage the rod engaging surface with the first spinal rod;
• and
• a second screw positioned within the second hole of the cross bar and the hole of the second body, wherein advancement of the second screw into the hole of the second body forces the tangs of the second body into the cross bar to clamp the cross bar to the second body and simultaneously pivots the second clamp to engage the rod engaging surface with the second spinal rod.