Rod Connector System and Methods of Use

A rod connector comprising:

• a disc having first side and a second side, the disc having an opening therethrough;
• and
• a shaft extending through the opening of the disc such that a first portion of the shaft is on the first side of the disc and a second portion of the shaft is on a second side of the disc, the shaft including threads disposed at least partially along the first portion and the second portion of the shaft,
• wherein the first portion of the shaft is configured to threadingly engage a threaded opening of an attachment member of the first rod to draw the first rod toward the first side of the disc and the second portion of the shaft is configured to threadingly engage a threaded opening of an attachment member of the second rod to draw the second rod toward the second side of the disc.

A rod connector system comprising:

• a rod connector including a disc portion, a first shaft portion extending from a first end of the disc portion, and a second shaft portion extending from a second end of the disc portion, the first shaft portion including threads thereon and the second shaft portion including threads thereon;
• a first insert plug for insertion into an end of a first rod, the insert plug including a central opening for receiving the first shaft portion of the rod connector, the central opening including threads for engaging the threads of the first shaft portion;
• and
• a second insert plug for insertion into an end of a second rod, the insert plug including a central opening for receiving the second shaft portion of the rod connector, the central opening including threads for engaging the threads of the second shaft portion.

A method of connecting rods comprising:

• providing a rod connector including a disc portion, a first shaft portion extending from a first side of the disc portion, and a second shaft portion extending from a second side of the disc portion, the first shaft portion including threads and the second shaft portion including threads,
• threading the first shaft portion into an attachment member of a first rod to draw the first rod toward the disc portion;
• and
• threading the second shaft portion into an attachment member of a second rod to draw the second rod toward the disc portion.