Transverse connector

1. A transverse connector system comprising:

a first spinal rod;

a second spinal rod;

a cross member including a first end and a second end that opposes the first end, the cross member including a first ball joint disposed at the first end and a second ball joint disposed at the second end, the cross member defining a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends; and

first and second spinal rod connecting members, the first spinal rod connecting member secured to the first ball joint and the second spinal rod connecting member secured to the second ball joint, each of the spinal rod connecting members defining a spinal rod connecting passage therethrough for reception of one of the spinal rods, each spinal rod connecting member adapted to receive a locking screw, the locking screw extending to a mating surface at a leading end thereof, the mating surface being receivable within a complementary mating surface of a respective one of the ball joints such that rotation of the locking screw advances the mating surface of the locking screw into the complementary mating surface of the respective one of the ball joints to retain a respective one of the spinal rod connecting members in a fixed relationship with the cross member,

wherein the first spinal rod is positionable within the spinal rod connecting passage of the first spinal rod connecting member, the first spinal rod connecting member receives the locking screw such that the locking screw shares a common axis with the first ball joint and with the first spinal rod, the common axis being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cross member,

wherein the first spinal rod connecting member includes a first spinal rod retention lip and a second spinal rod retention lip positioned adjacent to an opening defined in a bottom most surface of the first spinal rod connecting member, the first and second spinal rod retention lips projecting toward one another to facilitate retention of the first spinal rod in the spinal rod connecting passage of the first spinal rod connecting member.

2. The transverse connector system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second spinal rod connecting members defines a ball joint receptacle, each ball joint receptacle having a lateral opening configured to receive one of the first and second ball joints of the cross member.

3. The transverse connector system according to claim 1 , wherein the cross member includes an offset cross member providing an offset configuration such that the first and second spinal rod connecting members are disposed in a first plane and at least a portion of the offset cross member is disposed in a second plane that is spaced apart and parallel to the first plane.

4. The transverse connector system according to claim 1 , wherein the cross member includes an insertion arm and a receiving arm, the receiving arm defining a space therein and being configured to receive the insertion arm to thereby adjust a length of the cross member, at least one of the insertion arm and the receiving arm having a cross member locking screw receptacle configured to receive a cross member locking screw such that rotation of the cross member locking screw exerts pressure against at least one of the insertion arm and the receiving arm to thereby maintain the insertion arm and the receiving arm in a fixed position.

5. The transverse connector system according to claim 1 , wherein the complimentary mating surface of the first ball joint defines a recess and the mating surface of the locking screw includes a post that extends distally from the locking screw, the post being engagable with the recess to retain the first spinal rod connecting member in a fixed relationship with the cross member.

6. The transverse connector system according to claim 5 , wherein the post and the complementary mating surface define a space therebetween to enable the first spinal rod connecting member to move relative to the first ball joint through the space such that the first spinal rod connecting member is in a fixed relationship with the cross member except for the movement through the space.

7. The transverse connector system of claim 1 , wherein the common axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cross member.

8. A transverse connector system, comprising:

a first spinal rod;

a second spinal rod; and

a transverse connector including:

a cross member including a first end and a second end that opposes the first end, the cross member including a first ball joint disposed at the first end and a second ball joint disposed at the second end, the cross member having a first height, the first and second ball joints having a second height; and

first and second spinal rod connecting members, the first spinal rod connecting member secured to the first ball joint and the second spinal rod connecting member secured to the second ball joint, each of the first and second spinal rod connecting members defining a spinal rod connecting passage therethrough for the reception of one of the first and second spinal rods, the spinal rod connecting passages having a third height, each spinal rod connecting member adapted to receive a locking screw, the locking screw having a mating surface that is receivable within a complementary mating surface of one of the first and second ball joints such that rotation of the locking screw retains a respective one of the spinal rod connecting members in a fixed relationship with the cross member, the first spinal rod connecting member including an opening, one of the first and second spinal rods insertable into the opening along a longitudinal axis defined by the locking screw,

wherein each of the first, second, and third heights is offset from the other heights.

9. The transverse connector system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and second spinal rod connecting members is configured to articulate in multiple directions about one of the first and second ball joints of the cross member.

10. The transverse connector system of claim 8 , wherein a length of the cross member is selectively adjustable.

11. A transverse connector system, comprising:

a first spinal rod;

a second spinal rod; and

a transverse connector including:

a cross member including a first end and a second end that opposes the first end, the cross member including a first ball joint disposed at the first end and a second ball joint disposed at the second end, the cross member having a first height, the first and second ball joints having a second height; and

first and second spinal rod connecting members, the first spinal rod connecting member secured to the first ball joint and the second spinal rod connecting member secured to the second ball joint, each of the first and second spinal rod connecting members defining a spinal rod connecting passage therethrough for the reception of one of the first and second spinal rods, the first spinal rod connecting member includes an opening having a first spinal rod retention lip and a second spinal rod retention lip to facilitate retention of one of the first and second spinal rods in the spinal rod connection passage of the first spinal rod connecting member, the spinal rod connecting passages having a third height, each spinal rod connecting member adapted to receive a locking screw, the locking screw having a mating surface that is receivable within a complementary mating surface of one of the first and second ball joints such that rotation of the locking screw retains a respective one of the spinal rod connecting members in a fixed relationship with the cross member,

wherein each of the first, second, and third heights is offset from the other heights.

12. The transverse connector system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second spinal rod connecting members is configured to articulate in multiple directions about one of the first and second ball joints of the cross member.

13. The transverse connector system of claim 11 , wherein a length of the cross member is selectively adjustable.