Patent ID: 7922725

Claim:
A system for stabilizing a patient's spine comprising: first and second vertebral anchors adapted to be anchored to first and second vertebrae, respectively, each vertebral anchor having an upwardly open channel; a flexible connecting element adapted to extend between the vertebral anchors and be seated in the channels; a spacer adapted to be positioned between the channels of the vertebral anchors with the connecting element passing there through; first and second fasteners adapted to be mated with the channels of the first and second vertebral anchors, respectively, to secure the flexible connecting element thereto; first and second access members adapted to be mounted on the first and second vertebral anchors, respectively, each access member having an opening to provide access to the vertebral anchor when mounted thereon; a slot in each of the access members in communication with the associated channel when mounted on the vertebral anchor; and a first tool slidably engagable with and configured to translate along an exterior of the first access member without rotation when the first access member is mounted on the associated vertebral anchor to advance the flexible connecting member along the slot and into the channel of one of the vertebral anchors and to position the spacer between the vertebral anchors.