Anchor and rod connector

Abstract

A method of adjusting a distance between a first surgical rod and a second surgical rod includes providing a surgical rod connector having a housing with first and second ends and a longitudinal passage extending between the first end and the second end. The method also includes positioning the first surgical rod in the first end and positioning the second surgical rod in the second end. The method further includes mounting an anchor mechanism to the surgical rod connector and applying a force on the anchor mechanism and a corresponding force on one of the first and second surgical rods to distract the first and second surgical rods relative to one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical rod connector system comprising:
 a surgical rod connector comprising:
 a housing with first and second ends; 
 first and second sidewalls extending between the first and second ends; 
 a longitudinal passage extending between the first end and the second end and extending between the first and second sidewalls; and 
 an opening between the first and second sidewall in communication with the longitudinal passage; and 
   an anchor mechanism comprising:
 first and second arms configured to engage the first and second sidewalls, respectively, of the surgical rod connector at one of a plurality of discrete positions spaced along the first and second sidewalls. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical rod connector further comprises a plurality of slots disposed along the first and second sidewalls, the plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of discrete positions. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of slots are located within a length of the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of slots includes pairs of slots disposed opposite each other on opposite sidewalls. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the surgical rod connector further comprises first and second closure mechanisms located between the first and second ends and the opening, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the opening is located between the first and second closure mechanisms. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first and second closure mechanisms each comprises threaded set screws configured to be mounted within first and second apertures, respectively; and   the housing further comprises first and second rod openings located proximate the first and second ends.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal passage is unobstructed along the length of the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor mechanism further comprises a body, wherein the first and second arms are rotatably connected to the body. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second arms comprises:
 a first end for engaging one of the slots;   a second end; and   a bore located between the first end and the second end for rotatably coupling each arm to the body.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the anchor mechanism further comprises a locking mechanism configured to be rotated between the second ends to immobilize rotation of the first and second arms. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the anchor mechanism further comprises a distracting member rotatable relative to the body along an arc at axis of rotation. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor mechanism further comprises an adjustment member configured to adjust a height of the distracting member relative to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the distracting member is insertable into the longitudinal passage through the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each of the second ends includes a pair of projections configured to be inserted into one of the plurality of slots. 
     
     
         16 . An anchor mechanism for a surgical rod connector system, the anchor mechanism comprising:
 an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis;   first and second arms rotatably coupled to the elongate body and configured to engage first and second sidewalls, respectively, of a surgical rod connector; and   a locking mechanism configured to be rotated between the first and second arms to selectively immobilize rotation of the first and second arms.   
     
     
         17 . The anchor mechanism of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second arms comprises:
 a first end for engaging one of the slots;   a second end; and   a bore located between the first end and the second end for rotatably coupling each arm to the body.   
     
     
         18 . The anchor mechanism of  claim 16 , wherein the anchor mechanism further comprises a distracting member rotatable relative to the body along an arc at an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         19 . The anchor mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the anchor mechanism further comprises an adjustment member configured to adjust a height of the distracting member relative to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         20 . The anchor mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the distracting member is insertable into the longitudinal passage through the opening.