Transverse connector

Abstract

A transverse connector system having a first and a second locking head, and a transverse rod that is secured by the first and second locking heads. The first and second locking heads are provided with a first and second pivot arm for engaging and securing first and second elongated rods. The first and second locking heads each simultaneously engage and secure the transverse and elongated rods separately.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of affixing a transverse connector system to a spine of a patient, said method comprising:
 securing a plurality of bone anchors to the spine;   securing a first elongated rod and a second elongated rod to the spine, wherein the first elongated rod and the second elongated rod are retained by the plurality of bone anchors;   coupling the transverse connector system to the first elongated rod and the second elongated rod, the transverse connector system further comprising:
 a first and a second locking head; 
 a transverse rod having opposing first and a second ends, the first end being retained within a portion of the first locking head and the second end being retained within a portion of the second locking head; 
 wherein the first locking head having a first pivot arm for engaging and capturing the first elongated rod and the second locking head having a second pivot arm for engaging and capturing the second elongated rod; 
 wherein the first locking head simultaneously secures the first end of the transverse rod and the first elongated rod and the second locking head simultaneously securing the second end of the transverse rod and the second elongated rod. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongated rods are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the locking head further comprises a pivot arm and a clamping element. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second locking heads comprise a first and second screw hole. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a first and second fastener are inserted into the first and second screw holes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein when the first and second fastener are advanced in the first and second screw holes, the first and second clamping elements secure and retain the transverse rod and the pivot arm secures and retains the elongated rod simultaneously. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the clamping element comprises a collet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transverse rod is securable in any angle by the first and second locking heads. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first pivot arm is coupled to the first locking head by at least two lateral elements extending from a first base element of the first locking head and the second pivot arm is coupled to the second locking head by at least two lateral elements extending from a second base element of the second locking head. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse rod is curved. 
     
     
         11 . A method for stabilizing a posterior rod construct position in a spine of a patient, said method comprising:
 positioning a plurality of bone anchors or hooks on the spine;   positioning at least two elongated rods so that the bone anchors capture and retain the at least two elongated rods;   positioning a transverse connector to be coupled to the at least two elongated rods, the transverse connector having a transverse rod with opposing first and second ends, the first end being retained within a portion of the first locking head and the second end being retained within a portion of the second locking head, and the first locking head having a first pivot arm for engaging and capturing one of the at least two elongated rods and the second locking head having a second pivot arm for engaging and capturing a second one of the at least two elongated rods;   securing the first end of the transverse rod and the first of the at least two elongated rods simultaneously with a fastener;   securing the second end of the transverse rod and the second of the at least two elongated rods simultaneously with a fastener.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: positioning the at least two elongated rods parallel to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: advancing the fastener in the first locking head so that a first clamping element secures and retains the transverse rod and a pivot arm secures and retains the elongated rod simultaneously. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: advancing the fastener in the second locking head so that a second clamping element secures and retains the transverse rod and the second pivot arm secures and retains the elongated rod simultaneously. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: positioning and securing the opposing ends of the transverse rod in any angle by the first and second locking heads. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second locking heads comprise a first and second screw hole. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a first and second fastener are inserted into the first and second screw holes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein when the first and second fasteners are advanced in the first and second screw holes, the first and second clamping elements secure and retain the transverse rod. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second clamping elements each comprise a collet. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the transverse rod is curved.