# US 11,432,853 B2 · Spinal stabilization installation instrumentation and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,853 B2 - Document ID: US11432853B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/456,321 - Filed: 2019-06-28 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-12 - Assignees: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc. - Applicants: Zimmer Spine, Inc. - Inventors: Hugh D Hestad - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432853B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7083: {Tools for guidance or insertion of tethers, rod-to-anchor connectors, rod-to-rod connectors, or longitudinal elements} - A61B 17/0642: {for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone} - A61B 17/0682: {for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil} - A61B 17/701: {Longitudinal elements with a non-circular, e.g. rectangular, cross-section (A61B17/7005, A61B17/7007 take precedence)} - A61B 17/7029: {the entire longitudinal element being flexible} - A61B 17/7031: {made wholly or partly of flexible material} - A61B 17/7076: {for driving, positioning or assembling spinal clamps or bone anchors specially adapted for spinal fixation} - A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61B 2017/0641: {having at least three legs as part of one single body} - A61B 2017/0647: {having one single leg, e.g. tacks} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A system for installing a vertebral stabilization system. The system includes an installation tool including a handle portion and a shaft extending distally from the handle portion. The shaft includes a conduit and a staple mechanism. The system also includes a flexible implant member extending along the conduit configured to be advanced out from a distal end of the shaft, and a staple housed in the staple mechanism. The staple is configured to secure the flexible implant member to a vertebra. The handle portion is configured to selectively advance the flexible implant member from the shaft and to selectively actuate the staple mechanism. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vertebral stabilization system comprising: a stabilization member configured to extend between anchors to affix the stabilization member to adjacent vertebrae; and an anchor configured to secure the stabilization member to a vertebra, the anchor comprising: a first leg and a second leg each insertable into the vertebra; and a cross member connected to the first leg and the second leg, the cross member, the first leg, and the second leg each configured to directly engage and together receive the stabilization member to secure the stabilization member to the vertebra. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the cross member includes a projection configured to protrude into the stabilization member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the cross member has an arcuate shape curving between the first leg and the second leg. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 3, wherein the arcuate shape is curved to match a shape of the stabilization member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg are substantially parallel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the first leg is divergent from the second leg. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the first leg is convergent to the second leg. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the first leg includes a barb configured to engage the vertebra to limit reverse movement of the first leg from the vertebra. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 1, comprising: a first arm and a second arm each extending from the cross member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 9, wherein the first arm extends substantially parallel to the second arm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 10, wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to receive the stabilization member through a central opening defined at least in part by the first arm and the second arm, such that the first arm and the second arm straddle the stabilization member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 9, wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to be crimped around a portion of the stabilization member to secure the stabilization member between the first arm and the second arm and the cross member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 12, wherein the cross member includes a projection configured to protrude into the stabilization member when the first arm and the second arm are crimped. ### Claim 14 A vertebral stabilization system, comprising: an elongate flexible stabilization member configured to extend between anchors to affix the stabilization member to adjacent vertebrae; and an anchor configured to secure the stabilization member to a vertebra, the anchor comprising: a first leg and a second leg each securable to the vertebra; and a crown connected to the first leg and the second leg, the crown, the first leg, and the second leg together configured to receive the stabilization member to secure the stabilization member between the anchor and the vertebra. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 14, wherein the crown has an arcuate shape curving between the first leg and the second leg. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 15, wherein the arcuate shape is curved to match a shape of the stabilization member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 14, wherein the first leg and the second leg are configured to be crimped around a portion of the stabilization member to secure the stabilization member between the first leg, the second leg, and the crown. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 17, wherein the first leg includes a projection configured to engage the vertebra to limit reverse movement of the first leg from the vertebra. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vertebral stabilization system of claim 18, wherein the projection is configured to protrude into the stabilization member when the first leg and the second leg are crimped. ### Claim 20 A vertebral stabilization system, comprising: a stabilization member configured to extend between anchors to affix the stabilization member to adjacent vertebrae; and a first anchor separated from a second anchor, each of the first anchor and the second anchor comprising: a first leg and a second leg each insertable into a vertebra; and a cross member connected to the first leg and the second leg, the cross member, the first leg, and the second leg each configured to directly engage the stabilization member and together configured to receive the stabilization member between the first anchor and the second anchor to secure the stabilization member to a posterior portion of the vertebra.