Pedicle screw and multi-axial connector system

1. A posterior spinal implant system configured to immobilize and stabilize spinal segments, comprising:

a pedicle screw;

a spinal rod; and

a connector connecting the pedicle screw to the spinal rod in a laterally spaced relationship with the spinal rod offset from a longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw, the connector comprising:

an elongate connector body,

a polyaxial screw receiver positioned in the connector body and configured to receive the pedicle screw and permit polyaxial orientation of the connector relative to the pedicle screw,

a polyaxial rod receiver positioned in the connector body and configured to receive the spinal rod and permit polyaxial orientation of the spinal rod relative to the connector,

a piston positioned in the connector body and located between the polyaxial screw receiver and the polyaxial rod receiver for engaging the polyaxial screw receiver, and

a lock installed in the polyaxial rod receiver and operable to lock the connector relative the pedicle screw, lock the polyaxial rod receiver relative to the connector, and lock the spinal rod relative to the polyaxial rod receiver.

2. The spinal implant system of claim 1 , wherein the lock comprises a set screw threadably installed on the polyaxial rod receiver and operable in a single step to simultaneously lock the connector relative the pedicle screw, lock the polyaxial rod receiver relative to the connector, and lock the spinal rod relative to the polyaxial receiver.

3. The spinal implant system of claim 1 , wherein the lock comprises a set screw operable in two steps to lock the connector relative the pedicle screw, lock the polyaxial rod receiver relative to the connector, and lock the spinal rod relative to the polyaxial receiver.

4. The spinal implant system of claim 3 , wherein the set screw comprises a two-stage set screw having a first stage set screw having an upper portion and a lower set screw section, and a second stage set screw nested within the lower set screw section, wherein the upper portion is configured to break away from the lower set screw section at a desired torque.

5. The spinal implant system of claim 1 , wherein the polyaxial rod receiver comprises a tulip housing configured for receiving the spinal rod and having a spherical base, a yoke, and an end cap installable on the yoke and having a spherical sidewall, wherein the end cap is installed on the yoke, the spherical base of the tulip housing and the spherical sidewall of the end cap combine to provide a sphere for seating in the connector.

6. The spinal implant system of claim 1 , wherein the connector further comprises a wedge member located adjacent the piston opposite the polyaxial screw receiver and configured to engage the polyaxial rod receiver to facilitate polyaxial range of motion or translational range of motion or both of the polyaxial rod receiver relative to the connector.

7. A posterior spinal implant system configured to immobilize and stabilize spinal segments, comprising:

a pedicle screw;

a spinal rod; and

an elongate connector connecting the pedicle screw to the spinal rod in a laterally spaced apart relationship with the spinal rod offset from a longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw, the connector comprising:

a connector body,

a polyaxial screw receiver positioned in the connector body and configured to receive the pedicle screw and permit polyaxial orientation of the connector relative to the pedicle screw,

a polyaxial rod receiver positioned in the connector body and configured to receive the spinal rod and permit polyaxial orientation of the spinal rod relative to the connector, and

a set screw installed in the polyaxial rod receiver and operable in two steps to lock the connector relative the pedicle screw, lock the polyaxial rod receiver relative to the connector, and lock the spinal rod relative to the polyaxial receiver.

8. The spinal implant system of claim 7 , wherein the set screw comprises a two-stage set screw having a first stage set screw having an upper portion and a lower set screw section, and a second stage set screw nested within the lower set screw section, wherein the upper portion is configured to break away from the lower set screw section at a desired torque.

9. The spinal implant system of claim 7 , wherein the polyaxial rod receiver comprises a tulip housing configured for receiving the spinal rod and having a spherical base, a yoke, and an end cap installable on the yoke and having a spherical sidewall, wherein the end cap is installed on the yoke, the spherical base of the tulip housing and the spherical sidewall of the end cap combine to provide a sphere for seating in the connector.

10. The spinal implant system of claim 7 , wherein the connector further includes a piston positioned in the connector body and located between the polyaxial screw receiver and the polyaxial rod receiver, the piston having a curved front surface for engaging the polyaxial screw receiver.

11. The spinal implant system of claim 10 , wherein the connector further comprises a wedge member located adjacent the piston opposite the polyaxial screw receiver and configured to engage the polyaxial rod receiver to facilitate polyaxial range of motion or translational range of motion or both of the polyaxial rod receiver relative to the connector.