Patent ID: 7655008

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 engageable to respective ones of said first and second implants, a transverse bridge positionable between and engageable to each of said first and second implant holders at a location spaced proximally from said first and second implants, wherein each of said first and second implant holders includes a derotation handle extending proximally from said location, said derotation handles being associated with said respective implant holders in a manner that permits forces applied to either of said handles to be directed to said transverse bridge, thereby manipulating both said first and second implant holders when engaged to said bridge and both said first and second implants when engaged to said first and second implant holders, wherein said location of at least one of said first and second implant holders includes a first joint, said first joint including a ball member pivotally captured by said handle in a receptacle formed at said location and said transverse bridge includes an elongated connecting member positioned through a passage formed by said ball member, wherein said at least one of said first and second implant holders includes a first arm extending distally from said first joint to a second joint and a second arm pivotally coupled to said first arm at said second joint, wherein said second arm extends proximally from said second joint to a proximal end located between said first and second joints and said second arm extends distally from said second joint to a distal end, said proximal end of said second arm pivotable about said second joint toward said first arm to move said distal end of said second arm toward a distal end of said first arm to engage said respective one of said first and second implants between said first and second arms.