Articulating spinal crosslink apparatus

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a crosslink for linking a pair of rods in a spinal fusion construct. Specifically, this invention relates to an articulating crosslink that attaches directly to the head of a pedicle screw.

1 . A crosslink apparatus for linking at least two rods in a spinal fusion construct, said crosslink comprising:
 an articulating joint formed with one or more ball joint sockets and one or more joint locking points;   a ball joint retained by each of said ball joint sockets; and   a joint locking element for each of said joint locking points, wherein said joint locking element secures said ball joint within said articulating joint body.   
     
     
         2 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said articulating joint is further formed with a first crosslink arm that is integrated upon said articulating joint. 
     
     
         3 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said articulating joint is configured with a crosslink arm receiving cylinder that permits a second crosslink arm to adjustably slide within said ball joint that is retained within said articulating joint. 
     
     
         4 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein one of said one or more ball joint sockets is formed at the intersection of said joint locking point and said crosslink arm receiving cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said articulating joint is formed with two ball joints sockets each of which is configured to engage with a ball joint. 
     
     
         6 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said ball joint is a ball joint connector comprised of ball joint head portion that is configured to engage with one of said ball joint sockets and a crosslink arm connector portion that is configured to attach to a crosslink arm and permit said crosslink arm to adjustably slide through said crosslink arm connector portion. 
     
     
         7 . A crosslink apparatus for linking at least two rods in a spinal fusion construct, said crosslink comprising:
 an articulating joint formed with a ball joint socket, a joint locking point, a crosslink arm that is integrated upon said articulating joint, and a crosslink arm receiving cylinder that permits a second crosslink arm to adjustably slide within said articulating joint, wherein said ball joint socket is formed at the intersection of said joint locking point and said crosslink arm receiving cylinder;   a ball joint retained by ball joint socket and adapted to receive said second crosslink arm; and   a joint locking element for said joint locking point, wherein said joint locking element secures said ball joint and said second crosslink arm within said articulating joint body.   
     
     
         8 . A crosslink apparatus for linking at least two rods in a spinal fusion construct, said crosslink apparatus comprising:
 an articulating joint with a joint locking element;   a first crosslink arm and a second crosslink arm extending from said articulating joint;   an attachment collar on said first crosslink arm that is adapted to receive an expandable collet; and   a collet securing means that fastens to said expandable collet to cause said expandable collet to engage with said attachment collar.   
     
     
         9 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said articulating joint is comprised of a single ball joint that is configured to permit said first crosslink arm to adjustably slide within said articulating joint. 
     
     
         10 . The crosslink apparatus of  9 , wherein said joint locking element is a joint set screw that secures said first crosslink arm in place within said single ball joint. 
     
     
         11 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said articulating joint is a double ball joint configured with two ball joint sockets each of which are configured to engage with a ball joint head portion of a ball joint connector that allows for spherical articulation of said crosslink arms. 
     
     
         12 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each of said ball joint connectors is further comprised of a crosslink arm connector portion that is configured to permit each of said crosslink arms to adjustably slide through said ball joint connector. 
     
     
         13 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said joint locking element is a joint set screw in each of said ball joint sockets that secures said crosslink arms in place via said ball joint connector on each of said crosslink arms. 
     
     
         14 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an attachment collar on said second crosslink arm that is adapted to receive an expandable collet. 
     
     
         15 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a hooked connector on said second crosslink arm. 
     
     
         16 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said expandable collet is comprised of an upper portion configured with internal threading and a lower portion configured with external threading. 
     
     
         17 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said upper portion of said expandable collet has a curved external surface. 
     
     
         18 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said upper portion of said expandable collet is divided into a plurality of sections that expand to engage with said attachment collar when said collet securing means is a fastened to said expandable collet. 
     
     
         19 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said collet securing means is a collet set screw that expands said expandable collet to engage with said attachment collar. 
     
     
         20 . The crosslink apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said expandable collet is comprised of an internal driver feature formed within said expandable collet.