US Patent 7211087 Multi-planar adjustable connector

A connection assembly between a spinal implant rod and a vertebral anchor. The assembly has a split ring, a clamp, a collet and optionally a nut. The split ring is located inside the clamp and the collet is inserted through each of the clamp's arms. In use, the spinal implant rod is placed inside the split ring and the shaft or shank of the vertebral anchor is placed inside the collet. Drawing the arms of the clamp together then tightens the connection assembly, which closes the collet around the vertebral anchor and closes the split ring around the implant rod. Threading a nut on one end of the collet or directly threading the collet into one of the arms of the clamp tightens the assembly.