# US 2019/0167312 A1 · Transverse connectors for spinal systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167312 A1 - Document ID: US20190167312A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/267,508 - Filed: 2019-02-05 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-16 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Wolfe; Daniel Spangler; Jason Cianfrani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167312A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/7043: {with a longitudinal element fixed to one or more transverse elements which connect multiple screws or hooks} - A61B 17/7049: {Connectors, not bearing on the vertebrae, for linking longitudinal elements together (A61B17/7055, A61B17/7053, A61B17/7019 take precedence)} - A61B 2017/7073: {with intervertebral connecting element crossing an imaginary spinal median surface} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present application discloses transverse connectors that are connectable to first and second rod members that extend along a length of the spine. The transverse connectors are capable of gripping first and second rod members that are at different distances relative to one another, as well as at non-parallel angles relative to one another. In some instances, the first and second rod members can be bottom-loaded into the transverse connectors, while in other instances, the first and second rod members can be side-loaded into the transverse connectors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical system comprising: a first rod member; a second rod member; and a transverse connector operably attached to the first rod member and the second rod member, wherein the transverse connector comprises a first sub-assembly for gripping onto the first rod member and a second sub-assembly for gripping onto the second rod member, wherein the first sub-assembly comprises first clamp body having a side slot for receiving a first end of the transverse rod member and second sub-assembly comprises a second clamp body having a side slot for receiving a second end of the transverse rod member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first clamp body comprises a through opening for receiving a set screw. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the second clamp body comprises a through opening for receiving a set screw. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first clamp body comprises a tool gripping surface for engaging an insertion tool. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the second clamp body comprises a tool gripping surface for engaging an insertion tool. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first clamp body includes a mouth portion for receiving the first rod member in a side loading manner. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the second clamp body includes a mouth portion for receiving the second rod member in a side loading manner. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein inner walls that form the side slot of the first clamp body are non parallel with respect to each other to allow the first clamp member to angulate with respect to the transverse rod member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein inner walls that form the side slot of the second clamp body are non parallel with respect to each other to allow the second clamp member to angulate with respect to the transverse rod member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first clamp body is capable of sliding with respect to the transverse rod member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the second clamp body is capable of sliding with respect to the transverse rod member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The surgical system of claim 2, further comprising a set screw, wherein the set screw is received within the through opening of the first clamp body and wherein rotation of the set screw causes the set screw to abut the transverse rod member which abuts the first rod member locking the transverse rod member, the first rod member and the first clamp body in place. ### Claim 13 A surgical system comprising: a first rod member; a second rod member; and a transverse connector operably attached to the first rod member and the second rod member, wherein the transverse connector comprises a first sub-assembly having a first clamp body for gripping onto the first rod member, a second sub-assembly having a second clamp body for gripping onto the second rod member and a cross rod, wherein at least one of the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly is angulatable and slidable along the cross rod. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the first clamp body comprises a through opening for receiving a set screw. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the second clamp body comprises a through opening for receiving a set screw. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the first clamp body comprises a side slot for receiving a first portion of the cross rod. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the second clamp body comprises a side slot for receiving a second portion of the cross rod. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The surgical system of claim 15, wherein the first clamp body includes a mouth portion for receiving the first rod member in a side loading manner. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the second clamp body includes a mouth portion for receiving the second rod member in a side loading manner. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The surgical system of claim 14, further comprising a set screw, wherein the set screw is received within the through opening of the first clamp body and wherein rotation of the set screw causes the set screw to abut the cross rod which abuts the first rod member locking the cross rod, the first rod member and the first clamp body in place