Lateral connector assembly

Abstract

A lateral connector assembly for connecting a bone engaging fastener to an elongated member, such as a spinal rod includes a lateral connector having an elongated opening for receiving a portion of the bone engaging fastener therethrough. The lateral connector includes a plate portion and an integral yoke portion, which yoke portion is attached to the elongated member by way of a clamp. The lateral connector assembly can include variable angle means between the clamp and the yoke portion of the lateral connector that permits rotation of the lateral connector about an axis projecting outward from the spinal rod. The plate portion and the yoke portion of the lateral connector are oriented at non-perpendicular angles, preferably an angle greater than 100 degrees. In a further embodiment the plate portion of the lateral connector is curved so that as the bone engaging fastener slides along the elongated opening, it assumes variable angular orientations relative to the lateral connector assembly and the elongated rod.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.