Implantable Connector

Abstract

A rotational connector insertable into a surgical incision onto a top of a pedicle screw in a first orientation and rotated into a second orientation to engage a primary fusion rod. The rotational connector may include a revision rod coupled to one end thereof.

1 . An implantable connector system comprising:
 a rotational connector having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, wherein said middle portion includes a through opening that has a central axis, wherein said first end and said second end extend outwardly from said middle portion transversely to said central axis, wherein said first end is configured to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein in said first orientation said middle portion of said rotational connector is top loaded onto a head of an existing pedicle screw wherein said through opening receives a head of an existing pedicle screw head and in said second orientation said first end of said rotational connector receives an outer surface of a primary fusion rod, and wherein said second end includes a receptacle;   a revision rod having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is matingly received in said receptacle of said second end of said rotational connector;   a connector set screw configured to threadingly engage a set screw opening in said first end of said rotational connector; and   a revision rod set screw configured to threadingly engage a set screw opening in said second end of said rotational connector.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable connector system of  claim 1  wherein said rotational connector includes a bottom having a receiving slot configured to receive an existing pedicle screw and a primary fusion rod. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable connector system of  claim 2  wherein said receiving slot is a vertical first slot intersecting a horizontal second slot. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable connector system of  claim 3  wherein said horizontal second slot is substantially in line with said revision rod when said first end of said revision rod is matingly received in said receptacle of said second end of said rotational connector. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable connector system of  claim 1  wherein said first end of said revision rod and said receptacle of said second end of said rotational connector is a ball-and-socket joint. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable connector system of  claim 1  wherein said first end of said revision rod and said receptacle of said second end of said rotational connector each have corresponding vertical teeth positioning said revision rod at an angle relative to said rotational connector. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable connector system of  claim 1  wherein said first end of said revision rod or said receptacle of said second end of said rotational connector includes one or more protrusions received in one or more channels of the other one of said first end of said revision rod or said receptacle of said second end of said rotational connector. 
     
     
         8 . An implantable connector system comprising:
 a revision rod having a first end and a second end;   a rotational connector having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, said middle portion having a through opening extending from a bottom of said rotational connector wherein said first end and said second end extend radially outward from said through opening of said middle portion;   said rotational connector having a bottom with a first slot extending inwardly to a second slot, wherein said second slot is transverse to and intersects said first slot, wherein said second slot extends into said first end of said rotational connector;   at least one first set screw threadingly engaging said first end of said revision rod to said second end of said rotational connector; and   at least one second set screw threadingly engaging said first end of rotational connector and extending into said second slot in said first end of said rotational connector.   
     
     
         9 . The implantable connector system of  claim 8  wherein said first end of said rotational connector includes a top member, a bottom member, and a side member interconnecting said top member to said bottom member, and wherein said top member, said bottom member, and said side member define said second slot in said first end of said rotational connector. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable connector system of  claim 8  wherein said revision rod is axially aligned with said second slot when said revision rod is coupled with said rotational connector. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable connector system of  claim 8  wherein said revision rod is not axially aligned with said second slot when said revision rod is coupled with said rotational connector. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable connector system of  claim 8  wherein said revision rod and said rotational connector are coupled by a ball-and-socket joint. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable connector system of  claim 8  wherein said second slot extends into said second end of said rotational connector. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable connector system of  claim 8  wherein said revision rod is spaced at a higher elevation than said second slot.