SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSERTION OF FLEXIBLE SPINAL STABILIZATION ELEMENT

摘要

A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system into a patient generally comprises inserting a first positioning tool through a first location on a patient's skin and along a path generally toward a first vertebral anchor, coupling an end of the first positioning tool to the first vertebral anchor, positioning at least a portion of a delivery device over a connecting element, and inserting the delivery device and the connecting element through the patient's skin at the first location and along at least a portion of the first positioning tool. The first positioning tool is configured to facilitate directing the delivery device and connecting element generally toward a second vertebral anchor within the patient's body.

主权项

1. A system for stabilizing a patient's spine comprising:
a plurality of vertebral anchors adapted to be anchored to a plurality of vertebrae, each vertebral anchor having an upwardly open channel; a flexible cord adapted to extend between the vertebral anchors and be seated in the channels of the vertebral anchors; a plurality of threaded fasteners adapted to be mated with the channels of the vertebral anchors to secure the cord thereto; and a positioning tool having a distal end region configured to connect with a first one of the plurality of vertebral anchors, the distal end region including a pair of projections configured to be received in a pair of slots formed on an outer surface of the first vertebral anchor; a tensioning tool engageable with a proximal end region of the positioning tool and configured to apply tension to the cord; and a driver advanceable through a channel of the positioning tool to secure a first one of the plurality of threaded fasteners in the channel of the first vertebral anchor to secure the cord therein.