Patent ID: 7744629
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of stabilizing a spinal segment through an incision of a patient's body, the method comprising: pre-assembling a flexible support system by inserting a flexible member through a lumen of a spacer; advancing a shaft of a first guide member to a first vertebral anchor secured to a first vertebra; advancing a shaft of a second guide member to a second vertebral anchor secured to a second vertebra; inserting the pre-assembled flexible support system through the incision with the spacer positioned between the shaft of the first guide member and the shaft of the second guide member, the pre-assembled flexible support system including the flexible member positioned through the lumen of the spacer; flexing the first guide member away from the second guide member to impart a bend along a portion of the shaft of the first guide member white inserting the pre-assembled flexible support system through the incision, wherein upon flexing the first guide member, a longitudinal axis of a first portion of the shaft of the first guide member is nonparallel to a longitudinal axis of a second portion of the shaft of the first guide member; positioning the spacer of the pre-assembled flexible support system between the first vertebral anchor secured to the first vertebra and the second vertebral anchor secured to the second vertebra; securing the pre-assembled flexible support system to the first vertebral anchor; and securing the pre-assembled flexible support system to the second vertebral anchor.