Rod Connector Systems and Methods of Use

A rod connector system comprising:

• a rod connector comprising a cylindrical body having a first planar face at a first end and a second planar face at a second end, a first threaded shaft extending axially from the first planar face, and a second threaded shaft extending axially from the second planar face;
• a first hollow rod comprising a first inner wall within an interior thereof, the first inner wall including a first threaded hole for engaging the first threaded shaft and being spaced a first distance from an end of the first hollow rod;
• a second hollow rod comprising a second inner wall within an interior thereof, the second inner wall including a second threaded hole for engaging the second threaded shaft and being spaced a second distance from an end of the second hollow rod;
• wherein the first distance and the second distance are selected so that when the first threaded shaft is threaded into the first threaded hole and the second threaded shaft is threaded into the second threaded hole, the cylindrical body is sandwiched between the first inner wall and the second inner wall.

A rod connector for connecting a first rod and a second rod, the rod connector comprising:

• a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a first diameter, the cylindrical body defined by a first planar face at the first end, a second planar face at the second end, and a radial cylindrical side surface,
• a first shaft portion extending axially from the first planar face, the first shaft portion including first threading along at least a portion of a first length of the first shaft portion for engaging second threading within the first rod;
• and
• a second shaft portion extending axially from the second planar face, the second shaft portion including third threading along at least a portion of a second length of the second shaft portion for engaging fourth threading within the second rod,
• wherein a second diameter the first shaft portion is at most about 60% of the first diameter of the cylindrical body.