Patent ID: 8465493

Claim:
An installation tool for installing a vertebral stabilization system, the installation tool comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a conduit extending therethrough for directing a flexible implant member axially through the conduit to a vertebra of a spinal column; a handle portion at the proximal end of the elongate shaft, the handle portion configured to be actuated to advance the flexible implant member through the conduit and out a distal opening of the conduit; and an anchoring mechanism located proximate the distal end of the elongate shaft, the anchoring mechanism configured to apply an anchor into the vertebra to secure the flexible implant member to the vertebra; wherein the conduit includes a lumen extending from the proximal end of the elongate shaft to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the lumen curving laterally away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft at the distal end of the elongate shaft such that the flexible implant member is directed away from the longitudinal axis as the flexible implant member is advanced out the distal opening.