Transconnector

A transconnector for joining adjacent longitudinal spinal rods, the spinal rods being secured to a patient's vertebra via a plurality of bone fixation elements, the bone fixation elements including a bone anchor and a body portion having a rod-receiving channel formed therein, the transconnector comprising:

• a bridge member having a first end and a second end;
• and
• first and second bone fixation coupling elements,
• wherein the first and second ends of the bridge member each includes at least one hole for receiving the first and second bone fixation coupling elements, respectively,
• wherein each of the bone fixation coupling elements includes a locking cap, a bushing and a nut, and wherein the locking cap includes a first set of threads for engaging the bone fixation element, a second set of threads for engaging the nut, and a non-threaded tapered central portion located between the first set of threads and the second set of threads,
• wherein the second set of threads has an outer diameter that is less than the first set of threads,
• wherein the central portion has an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of the first set of threads and greater than the outer diameter of the second set of threads, and wherein the bushing includes an outer spherical surface and a central passage, and wherein the central passage is sized and configured to receive the taper of the central portion of the locking cap therein.

A transconnector for joining adjacent longitudinal spinal rods, the spinal rods being secured to a patient's vertebra via a plurality of bone fixation elements, the transconnector comprising:

• a telescopically adjustable bridge member;
• and
• a pair of bone fixation coupling elements,
• wherein the telescopically adjustable bridge member is sized and configured to span a distance between the pair of bone fixation coupling elements and wherein each of the bone fixation coupling elements is sized and configured to engage the bridge member, the bone fixation coupling elements further including a locking cap for threadably engaging a plurality of threads formed on a body portion of the bone fixation element,
• wherein the locking cap includes a first set of threads for engaging the bone fixation element, a second set of threads for engaging a nut that is adapted to create a poly-axial connection of the telescopically adjusting bridge member to the locking cap, and a non-threaded central portion located between the first set of threads and the second set of threads,
• wherein the second set of threads has an outer diameter that is less than the first set of threads,
• wherein the central portion is tapered and has an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of the first set of threads and greater than the outer diameter of the second set of threads.