Multi-planar axial spinal rod connector

1. A multi-planar axial spinal rod connector comprising:

a first portion defining a first longitudinal axis and defining a first passage coaxial with the first longitudinal axis sized and configured to slidably receive a portion of a first spinal rod therein, the first portion having top and bottom planes and defining a first slot through the top plane, the first slot defining a first longitudinal slot axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis;

a second portion defining a second longitudinal axis different from the first longitudinal axis and defining a second passage coaxial with the second longitudinal axis sized and configured to slidably receive a portion of a second spinal rod therein; and

a connector assembly including a connector having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with a pivot axis that is orthogonal to and passes through the first and second longitudinal axes, the connector rotatable relative to the first and second portions and configured to fix the first and second portions in fixed relation to one another such that the first and second longitudinal axes define an angle relative to one another about the pivot axis, the pivot axis orthogonal to the first and second longitudinal axes and orthogonal to the top and bottom planes of the first portion.

2. The spinal rod connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly integrally is formed with the first and second portions.

3. The spinal rod connector of claim 1 , wherein the angle is adjustable.

4. The spinal rod connector of claim 3 , wherein the angle is in a range of about 45° to about 315°.

5. The spinal rod connector of claim 3 , wherein the first portion includes a first flange and the second portion includes a second flange, the first and second flanges each defining a through hole about the pivot axis.

6. The spinal rod connector of claim 5 , wherein the connector is sized and configured to engage the through hole of at least one of the first and second flanges to fix the first and second portions relative to one another.

7. The spinal rod connector of claim 5 , wherein a surface of at least one of the first and second flanges includes radial features, the radial features configured to engage an opposing surface of the other of the first and second flanges to fix the first and second portions relative to one another.

8. The spinal rod connector of claim 1 , wherein the first portion defines a blind hole, the blind hole formed about a hole axis that is orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal slot axis.

9. The spinal rod connector of claim 8 , further comprising a set screw that is threadably inserted into the blind hole, the set screw configured to secure a rod within the first passage.

10. A method for spinal surgery, comprising:

positioning a first portion of a multi-planar axial spinal connector over an end of a first spinal rod parallel to a longitudinal axis of a spine of a patient, the first spinal rod defining a first longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first portion and having a constant diameter;

positioning a second portion of the multi-planar axial spinal connector over an end of a second spinal rod, the second spinal rod defining a second longitudinal axis different from the first longitudinal axis;

fixing the first and second portions to the first and second spinal rods respectively such that the first and second portions are medially deflected relative to one another; and

tightening a connector to secure the first and second portions in fixed relation to one another such that the first and second longitudinal axes define an angle relative to one another about a pivot axis, the connector disposed orthogonal to the first and second longitudinal axes and defining a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the pivot axis.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein tightening a connector to secure the first and second portions in fixed relation to one another includes the connector engaging a through hole of a flange of at least one of the first and second portions.

12. A multi-planar axial spinal rod connector comprising:

a first portion defining a first unthreaded blind hole configured to slidably receive a portion of a first spinal rod, the first portion defining a first screw hole along a first screw axis;

a second portion defining a second blind hole configured to slidably receive a portion of a second spinal rod, the second portion defining a second screw hole along a second screw axis parallel to the first screw axis; and

a connector assembly coupling the first portion to the second portion such that one of the first and second portions is pivotable with respect to the other of the first and second portions about a pivot axis, thereby defining an angle therebetween, the connector assembly including a connector having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the pivot axis, the connector rotatable relative to the first and second portions and configured to secure the first and second portions in fixed relation to one another about the pivot axis, the pivot axis parallel to the first and second screw axes.

13. The spinal rod connector according to claim 12 , wherein at least one position of connector assembly aligns the first spinal rod with the second spinal rod.

14. The spinal rod connector according to claim 12 , wherein the first portion includes a first set screw configured to interfere with the first blind hole.

15. The spinal rod connector according to claim 14 , wherein the first set screw has a first position wherein the portion of the first spinal rod received within the first blind hole is slidable relative to the first portion and a second position wherein the portion of the of the first spinal rod received within the first blind hole is fixed relative to the first portion.

16. The spinal rod connector according to claim 12 , wherein the second portion includes a second set screw configured to interfere with the second blind hole.

17. The spinal rod connector according to claim 16 , wherein the second set screw has a first position wherein the portion of the second spinal rod received within the second blind hole is slidable relative to the second portion and a second position wherein the portion of the of the second spinal rod received within the second blind hole is fixed relative to the second portion.