Patent ID: 7794464

Claim:
A system for correcting alignment of one or more vertebrae of a spine, comprising: first and second implants engageable to one of the one or more vertebrae, said first and second implants being configured for engagement with respective ones of first and second stabilization elements positionable along the spine; and a derotation instrument assembly including first and second elongated implant holders releasably engaged to respective ones of said first and second implants, a transverse bridge positionable between and directly engaged to each of the first and second implant holders at a location spaced proximally from said first and second implants, and a primary derotation handle extending from said transverse bridge on a line directly between said first and second implant holders and orientable in a direction extending generally parallel to a sagittal plane of the spine, said primary derotation handle being associated with said bridge in a manner that permits forces applied to said handle to be directed to said transverse bridge, thereby manipulating said first and second implant holders at said location wherein said transverse bridge is engaged thereto and causing said first and second implant holders to manipulate said first and second implants when engaged to said first and second implant holders.