Variable angle and transitional linking member

A spinal fixation system, comprising:

• a first spinal rod configured for placement adjacent the spine of a patient;
• a first spacer defining a first orifice therethrough, and having a first spacer surface configured for engaging said first spinal rod;
• a transverse connector including an elongated body along a longitudinal axis, said elongated body having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, and including;
• a first portion formed at one end of said elongated body, said first portion defining a first opening through said upper and lower surfaces;
• and
• a second portion formed at an opposite end of said elongate body, said second portion defining a second opening through said upper and lower surfaces;
• a first connector means carried on said first spinal rod and having means for clamping said first portion and said first spinal rod in a fixed position on said rod;
• a first plate connected to one of said first spacer and said first connector means and extending away from said first spinal rod, said first plate defining a first aperture therethrough configured to receive a bone fastener therethrough for engagement with the spine.

A spinal fixation system, comprising:

• a first longitudinal member configured for placement adjacent the spine of a patient:
• a second longitudinal member spaced apart from said first longitudinal member, said second longitudinal member being configured for placement adjacent the spine of a patient:
• a transverse connector including an elongated body along a longitudinal axis, said elongated body having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, and including;
• a first portion formed at one end of said elongated body, said first portion defining a first opening through said upper and lower surfaces, said first portion having a first interlocking surface;
• and
• a second portion formed at an opposite end of said elongate body, said second portion deigning a second opening through said upper and lower surfaces, said second portion having a second interlocking surface;
• a first means for fastening said first portion and said first longitudinal member together, said first means having a first mating surface;
• first interlocking means between said first interlocking surface and said first mating surface for interlocking said first mating surface with said first interlocking surface in variable rotational positions relative to each other when said first portion and said first longitudinal member are fastened together;
• a second means for fastening said second portion and said second longitudinal member together, said second means having a second mating surface;
• and
• second interlocking means between said second interlocking surface and said second mating surface for interlocking said second mating surface with said second interlocking surface in variable linear and rotational positions relative to each other when said second portion and said second longitudinal member are fastened together.

A spinal fixation system, comprising:

• a first spinal rod configured for placement adjacent the spine of a patient;
• a second spinal rod spaced apart from said first spinal rod, said second spinal rod being configured for placement adjacent the spine of a patient;
• a transverse connector including an elongated body along a longitudinal axis, said elongated body having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, and including;
• a first portion formed at one end of said elongated body, said first portion defining a first opening through said upper and lower surfaces, said first portion having a first interlocking surface;
• and
• a second portion formed at an opposite end of said elongate body, said second portion defining a second opening through said upper and lower surfaces, said second portion having a second interlocking surface;
• a first spacer defining a first orifice therethrough, and having a first spacer surface configured for engaging said first spinal rod and a first mating surface;
• first interlocking means for interlocking said first mating surface with said first interlocking surface in variable rotational positions relative to each other;
• a first spinal rod connector defining a passage configured to receive said first spinal rod therethrough and having a first stem portion configured to extend through said first orifice of said first spacer and said first opening of said transverse connector with said first spacer surface of said first spacer engaging said first rod;
• a first fastener configured to engage said first stem portion to clamp said first spacer between said first portion of said transverse connector and said first spinal rod when said first fastener is engaged on said first stem portion;
• a second spacer defining a second orifice therethrough, and having a second surface configured for engaging said second spinal rod and a second mating surface;
• second interlocking means for interlocking said second mating surface with said second interlocking surface in variable linear and rotational positions relative to each other;
• a second spinal rod connector defining a passage configured to receive said second spinal rod therethrough and having a second stem portion configured to extend through said second orifice of said second spacer and said second opening of said transverse connector with said second spacer surface of said second spacer engaging said second rod;
• and
• second fastener configured to engage said second stem portion to clamp said second spacer between said second portion of said transverse connector and said second spinal rod when said second fastener is engaged on said second stem portion.

A transverse connector for bridging a first longitudinal member carrying a first connector thereon and a second longitudinal member carrying a second connector thereon, comprising:

• an elongated body having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, and a first end and an opposite second end;
• a first portion connected to said first end, said first portion defining a first opening through said upper and lower surfaces, said first portion having a first interlocking surface configured to engage a first mating surface on the first connector, said first interlocking surface and the first mating surface having first interlocking means cooperating therebetween for securing said first portion in a first position, said first position being rotationally variable with respect to said first longitudinal member to place said second end proximate to the second longitudinal member;
• a second portion connector to said second end, said second portion defining a second opening through said upper and lower surface, said second portion having a second interlocking surface configured to engage a second mating surface on the second connector, said second interlocking surface and the second mating surface having second interlocking means cooperating therebetween for securing said second portion in a second position, said second position being rotationally and translationally variable to correspond to said first position.

A spinal fixation system, comprising:

• a first longitudinal member configured for placement adjacent the spine of a patient;
• a second longitudinal member spaced apart from said first longitudinal member, said second longitudinal member being configured for placement adjacent the spine of a patient;
• a transverse connector including an elongated body along a longitudinal axis, said elongated body having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, and including:
• a first portion formed at one end of said elongated body, said first portion defining a first opening through said upper and lower surfaces, said first portion having a first interlocking surface,
• a second portion formed at an opposite end of said elongate body, said second portion defining a second opening through said upper and lower surfaces, said second portion having a second interlocking surface;
• and
• a first fastener connecting said first portion and said first longitudinal member together, said first fastener having a first mating surface configured to interlock with said first interlocking surface to secure said first portion relative to said first longitudinal member, said first interlocking surface being knurled to define a first number of asperities and said first mating surface being knurled to define a second number of asperities, said first and second asperities being configured to intermesh in a plurality of rotational positions relative to each other.