Patent ID: 8439951

Claim:
A spinal stabilization system comprising: an implantable device having a spacer body configured for placement between vertebrae and a pair of lateral walls extending from the spacer body for engaging a spinous process of a vertebra, each of the lateral walls including an aperture for receiving a bone fastener; a bone fastener comprising a bolt and a nut for securing the implantable device to the spinous process; and an insertion tool to assemble the bolt and nut together through the apertures of the lateral walls, the insertion tool comprising a first arm including a first bone fastener holding portion to receive the bolt, a second arm including a second bone fastener holding portion to receive the nut, and being configured to maintain the bolt and nut in alignment with respect to one another during assembly, the insertion tool further comprising a gear mechanism in communication with the second bone fastener holding portion whereby rotation of the gear mechanism causes rotation of the nut.