Abstract: A spinal cross connector connects a pair of longitudinally extending rods anchored to the spine. The cross connector has a first element, including a body, a rod gripping portion formed on a first end of the body and a circular arm extending along a first axis from a second end of the body. A second element is provided which has a body, a rod gripping portion formed on one end and a flange having a bore on a second end. The flange has a bearing surface surrounding the bore and another bearing surface it formed on the inner surface of the bore. A pivot element has a head portion, including a bore therethrough for engaging the arm on the first element. The pivot element has a threaded portion extending from the head along a second axis and a generally cylindrical bearing surface engageable with the bearing surface inside the bore. A lock nut is operatively engageable with the threaded portion on the pivot element to lock the assembly together.

Abstract: A kinematic restraint device and method for determining the range of motion of a total knee replacement system are disclosed. The kinematic restraint device is used as a surrogate knee that duplicates the elastic behavior of individual ligaments, tendons, muscles related to a human knee. The kinematic restraint device according to the invention includes a total knee replacement system and at least one cable or cable-spring combination representing a ligament, tendon, or muscle component of the human knee. The kinematic restraint device overcomes hurdles posed by the use of natural knees in pre-operatively determining the range of motion of a total knee replacement system. Furthermore, an outer membrane is used to simulate the viscoelastic effects exhibited by fibrous structures, fatty tissues, and muscle mass enveloping the joint on the total knee replacement kinematics.