Patent ID: 8475467

Claim:
An apparatus for treating spinal irregularities, comprising: a derotation apparatus comprising: a tube assembly comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve disposed over the inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve has a distal end for attachment to an implant; a handle assembly; and a ball joint assembly disposed between the tube assembly and the handle assembly, wherein the ball joint assembly comprises a first ball joint configured for attachment to a coupling rod, wherein the ball joint assembly comprises a second ball joint configured for attachment to a second coupling rod, and wherein the first ball joint articulates independently of the second ball joint, wherein at least one of the first ball joint and the second ball joint comprises an upper portion and a lower portion that match together to form a rotatable ball, the upper portion comprising a radially extending upper tab, the lower portion comprising a radially extending lower tab, and the upper tab and the lower tab forming a clamp for receiving the connecting rod.