# US 9,517,090 B2 · Polyaxial cross connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,090 B2 - Document ID: US9517090B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/725,406 - Filed: 2015-05-29 - Published: 2015-09-17 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-06 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Harper; Devjeet Mishra; Derek Martzall - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517090B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/705: {for linking adjacent ends of longitudinal elements} - A61B 17/7034: {characterised by a lateral opening} - A61B 17/7052: {of variable angle or length} - A61B 17/7055: {connected to sacrum, pelvis or skull} - A61B 17/7059: {Cortical plates (A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence)} - A61B 17/809: {with bone-penetrating elements, e.g. blades or prongs (bone staples A61B17/0642; intramedullary nails with a plate at an end A61B17/7233)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A device and method for coupling first and second elongate spinal fixation elements. The device includes first and second connector members, for receiving first and second elongate spinal fixation elements respectively. One or both connector members may include an engagement portion configured and dimensioned to provisionally receive an elongate fixation element with an interference fit. First and second connector members are coupled to a translation member, the translation member operatively associated with at least one connector member to provide for polyaxial movement. At least one locking member is provided to secure a received elongate spinal fixation element in the engagement portion and lock polyaxial movement of the at least one connector member. The translation member may have first and second portions which move relative to each other with translation movement, and a third locking member to lock the translation movement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coupling device comprising: a connector member including an engagement portion configured and dimensioned to receive an elongate spinal fixation element; a translation member having an end operatively associated with the connector member to provide polyaxial movement of the connector member relative to the translation member, wherein a portion of the connector member extends through a bore formed in the translation member; and a locking member to secure the elongate spinal fixation element in the engagement portion of the connector member and to lock the polyaxial movement, thereby fixing the connector member relative to the translation member, wherein the locking member is received through the connector member and not the translation member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the connector member that extends into the translation member includes a sphere and the bore in the translation member receives the sphere to provide the polyaxial movement. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein one of a surface of the bore and a surface of the sphere includes grooves and the other of the surface of the bore and the surface of the sphere includes ridges. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the engagement portion of the connector member includes proximal and distal arms, at least one of the proximal and distal arms resiliently flexing open to accept the elongate spinal fixation element and flexing back to provisionally receive the elongate spinal fixation element with an interference fit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the connector member includes a slit extending from a proximal portion of the connector member to a distal portion of the connector member, the slit allowing the resilient flexing of the at least one of the proximal and distal arms of the engagement portion of the connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the locking member includes a set screw and a hole on the connector member and operatively associated with the slit such that threading of the set screw into the hole moves the proximal and distal arms relative to one another to secure the elongate spinal fixation element in the engagement portion of the connector member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the slit divides the sphere into first and second portions and wherein threading of the set screw into the hole splays the first and second portions of the sphere to lock the polyaxial movement, thereby fixing the connector member relative to the translation member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the translation member includes first and second translation elements, the first translation element including a proximal portion of the translation member and the second translation element including a distal portion of the translation member; and wherein the first and second translation elements are moveable relatively to each other. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the first and second translation elements move relative to each other with translation movement, substantially free of rotation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the first and second translation elements are coupled with a dove-tail connection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the first and second translation elements move relative to each other along an arced path. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate spinal fixation element is a rod. ### Claim 13 A coupling device comprising: a connector member including an engagement portion configured and dimensioned to receive an elongate spinal fixation element; a translation member including first and second translation elements moveable relative to one another to adjust a distance therebetween, wherein the translation member has an end operatively associated with the connector member to provide polyaxial movement of the connector member relative to the translation member, and wherein a portion of the connector member extends through a bore formed in the translation member; and a locking member to secure the elongate spinal fixation element in the engagement portion of the connector member and to lock the polyaxial movement, thereby fixing the connector member relative to the translation member, wherein the locking member is received through the connector member and not the translation member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the connector member includes a sphere and the bore in the translation member is configured to receive the sphere to provide the respective polyaxial movement. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the engagement portion of the connector member includes proximal and distal arms, at least one of the proximal and distal arms resiliently flexing open to accept the elongate spinal fixation element and flexing back to provisionally receive the elongate spinal fixation element with an interference fit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the connector member includes a slit extending between a proximal portion of the connector member to a distal portion of the connector member, the slit allowing the resilient flexing of the at least one of the proximal and distal arms of the engagement portion of the connector member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the locking member includes a set screw and a hole on the connector member and operatively associated with the slit such that threading of the set screw into the hole moves the proximal and distal arms relative to one another to secure the elongate spinal fixation element in the engagement portion of the connector member. ### Claim 18 A method for affixing a coupling device, the method comprising: attaching a coupling device to an elongate spinal fixation element, the coupling device comprising: a connector member including an engagement portion configured and dimensioned to provisionally receive the elongate spinal fixation element with an interference fit; a translation member having an end operatively associated with the connector member to provide polyaxial movement of the connector member relative to the translation member, wherein a portion of the connector member extends through a bore formed in the translation member; and a locking member, wherein the locking member is received through the connector member and not the translation member; and locking the locking member provided on the connector member thereby securing the spinal fixation element in the engagement portion of the connector member and locking the polyaxial movement in order to fix the connector member relative to the translation member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the locking member includes a set screw and a hole on the connector member, the locking step further comprising threading the set screw thereby simultaneously securing the elongate spinal fixation element and locking the polyaxial movement. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the coupling device is attached to a posterior spinal fusion construct.