Transconnector for coupling spinal rods

A transconnector for coupling first and second elongate spinal fixation elements, the transconnector comprising:

• a first member having a linking portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the fixation elements, and a projection associated with the linking portion, the projection having at least a portion which is substantially cylindrical having a longitudinal axis, with a relatively flat planer surface defined by edges;
• a second member having a linking portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the fixation elements, and a cavity having at least one opening to receive at least a portion of the projection;
• and
• a locking assembly for securing different angular orientations and separation distances between the first and second fixation elements, the locking assembly having at least a first portion accessible by a user to operably associate the at least first portion with at least a second portion of the locking assembly contactable with the projection to press the projection against the cavity to limit translational travel of the first member with respect to the second member,
• wherein the locking assembly has at least a first position permitting the first member to slide or rotate with respect to the second member, with the linking portion of the first member at a user selected angle relative to the linking portion of the second member, and at least a second position preventing at least one of translational or rotational movement of the first member with respect to the second member.

A transconnector for coupling first and second elongate spinal fixation elements, the transconnector comprising:

• a first member having a linking portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the fixation elements, and a projection associated with the linking portion, the projection having a substantially cylindrical portion with a relatively flat planer surface defining edges at the juncture of the flat planar surface and the cylindrical portion;
• a second member having a linking portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the fixation elements, and a cavity having at least one opening to receive at least a portion of the projection;
• and
• a locking assembly for securing different separation distances between the first and second fixation elements, the locking assembly having a first end accessible by a user to rotate at least a portion of the locking assembly to limit translational travel of the first member with respect to the second member,
• wherein the locking assembly has at least a first position permitting the first member to slide with respect to the second member, with the linking portion of the first member at a user selected angle relative to the linking portion of the second member, and at least a second position preventing translational movement of the first member with respect to the second member, and wherein the edges limit rotation of the projection.

A transconnector for coupling first and second elongate spinal fixation elements, the transconnector comprising:

• a first member having a linking portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the fixation elements, and a projection associated with the linking portion, the projection having a portion which is substantially cylindrical having a single recess with a relatively flat planer surface having edges between the substantially cylindrical portion and the relatively flat planar surface;
• a second member having a threaded hole, a linking portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the fixation elements, and a cavity having at least one opening to receive at least a portion of the projection;
• and
• a locking assembly for securing position and angular orientation of the projection portion in the cavity in order to accommodate different separation distances and orientations between the first and second fixation elements, the locking assembly threadably received in the threaded hole and having a first end accessible by a user to rotate at least a portion of the locking assembly to limit movement of the first member with respect to the second member, the locking assembly having at least a first position operably associated with the recess permitting the first member to slide and rotate with respect to the second member and at least a second position operably associated with the recess preventing translational movement of the first member with respect to the second member, wherein the edges on the projection limit rotation of the projection with respect to the second member.

A transconnector for coupling first and second elongate spinal fixation elements, the transconnector comprising:

• a first member having a linking portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the fixation elements, and a projection extending from the linking portion, the projection having a portion which is substantially cylindrical having a single recess with a relatively flat planer surface defined by edges;
• a second member having a threaded hole, a linking portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the fixation element, and a cavity having at least one opening to receive at least a portion of the projection;
• and
• a locking member for securing position and angular orientation of the projection portion in the cavity in order to accommodate different separation distances and orientations between the first and second fixation elements, the locking member threadably received in the threaded hole and having a first end accessible by a user to rotate the locking member to limit travel of the first member with respect to the second member,
• wherein the locking member has at least a first position operably associated with the recess permitting the first member to slide and rotate with respect to the second member and at least a second position operably associated with the recess preventing at least one of translational or rotational movement of the first member with respect to the second member, the locking element movable between the first and second positions by rotation.

A transconnector for coupling first and second elongate spinal fixation rods, the transconnector comprising:

• a first member having a hook portion configured and dimensioned to receive one of the rods, and a projection extending from the hook portion, the projection having a portion which is substantially cylindrical defining a longitudinal axis and having a single relatively flat planar surface defined by longitudinally extending edges, wherein the edges limit rotation of the projection about the longitudinal axis;
• a second member having a hook portion configured and dimensioned to receive at least one of the rods, and a body associated with the hook portion, the body having a cavity with at least first and second openings, the first opening configured to receive the projection;
• a locking assembly for securing position and angular orientation of the projection within the cavity in order to accommodate different separation distances and orientations between the first and second fixation elements, wherein:
• the locking assembly comprises a locking member received in the second opening, the locking member having a first end for receiving a tool and a second end directly or indirectly operably associated with at least a portion of the projection to prevent uncoupling of the male and female members, the locking member having at least a first position directly or indirectly operably associated with the single relatively flat planar surface permitting the first member to slide and rotate with respect to the second member and a second position directly or indirectly operably associated with the single relatively flat planar surface wherein the second end is directly or indirectly operably associated with at least a portion of the projection for directly or indirectly pressing the projection against the cavity to prevent at least one of translational or rotational movement of the first member with respect to the second member.