Revision connectors, systems and methods thereof

Abstract

Connector assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A connector has a first end that clamps to a first rod in an existing construct and a second end, connected to the first end, that clamps to a second rod in a new construct such that the new construct can be extended from the existing construct at an adjacent level as the existing construct.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A top loading connector for adding to an existing fixation segment containing an existing connector rod, comprising:
 a clamping shaft having a post adapted to be attached to a connection rod and a plurality of legs extending downwardly from the post, the legs having an externally threaded portion and a clamping portion extending downwardly from the threaded portion, the clamping portion defining a passage for receiving the existing connector rod in a top loading manner;   a sleeve adapted to be slid over the externally threaded portion and rest on an exterior surface of the clamping portion;   a clamp body adapted to be positioned over the sleeve; and   a locking nut positioned over the clamp body and adapted to be threaded onto the externally threaded portion to slide the clamp body and the sleeve down the legs to bring the legs radially inwardly to lock the existing connector rod to the clamping shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The top loading connector of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping portion includes a plurality of flared portions extending downwardly and radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the clamping shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The top loading connector of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve legs extending downwardly and radially outwardly, and the sleeve legs are shaped to slide down over the flared portions of the clamping shaft to move the flared portions radially inwardly. 
     
     
         4 . The top loading connector of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve legs extending downwardly, and shaped to slide down over the legs of the clamping shaft to move the legs radially inwardly. 
     
     
         5 . The top loading connector of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of detents for receiving a part of the clamp body to prevent the clamp body from rotation relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The top loading connector of  claim 1 , wherein the legs are defined by a flexure cut therebetween, the clamp shaft further comprising a relief cut positioned above the flexure cut. 
     
     
         7 . The top loading connector of  claim 6 , wherein the relief cut is positioned within the threaded portion on a longitudinal axis of the clamping shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The top loading connector of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping portion includes a vertically straight portion which couples to a corresponding straight portion of the sleeve to allow the sleeve to slide down the clamping portion without rotation. 
     
     
         9 . The top loading connector of  claim 1 , wherein the post is shaped to receive a screw tulip for connection to a second connector rod. 
     
     
         10 . The top loading connector of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp body includes a plurality of tangs and the sleeve includes a plurality of detents for receiving corresponding tangs of the clamp body to prevent the clamp body from rotation relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . A top loading connector for adding to an existing fixation segment containing an existing connector rod, comprising:
 a clamping shaft having a post adapted to be attached to a connection rod, and first and second legs extending downwardly from the post, the legs having an externally threaded portion and a clamping portion extending downwardly from the threaded portion, the clamping portion defining a passage for receiving the existing connector rod in a top loading manner;   a sleeve adapted to be slid over the externally threaded portion and rest on an exterior surface of the clamping portion;   a clamp body adapted to be positioned over the sleeve, the clamp body having a key feature adapted to mate with a complementary key feature on the sleeve to rotationally lock the clamp body to the sleeve; and   a locking nut positioned over the clamp body and adapted to be threaded onto the externally threaded portion to slide the clamp body and the sleeve down the legs to bring the legs radially inwardly to lock the existing rod to the clamping shaft.   
     
     
         12 . The top loading connector of  claim 11 , wherein the clamping portion includes a plurality of flared portions extending downwardly and radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the clamping shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The top loading connector of  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve legs extending downwardly and radially outwardly, and the sleeve legs are shaped to slide down over the flared portions of the clamping shaft to move the flared portions radially inwardly. 
     
     
         14 . The top loading connector of  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve legs extending downwardly, and shaped to slide down over the legs of the clamping shaft to move the legs radially inwardly. 
     
     
         15 . The top loading connector of  claim 11 , wherein the corresponding key feature includes a plurality of detents for receiving the key feature of the clamp body to prevent the clamp body from rotation relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The top loading connector of  claim 11 , wherein the legs are defined by a flexure cut therebetween, the clamp shaft further comprising a relief cut positioned above the flexure cut. 
     
     
         17 . The top loading connector of  claim 16 , wherein the relief cut is positioned within the threaded portion on a longitudinal axis of the clamping shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The top loading connector of  claim 11 , wherein the clamping portion includes a vertically straight portion which couples to a corresponding straight portion of the sleeve to allow the sleeve to slide down the clamping portion without rotation. 
     
     
         19 . The top loading connector of  claim 11 , wherein the post is shaped to receive a screw tulip for connection to a second connector rod. 
     
     
         20 . The top loading connector of  claim 11 , wherein the clamp body includes a plurality of tangs as the keyed feature and the sleeve includes a plurality of detents as the corresponding key feature.