System and method for stabilizing the spine by securing spine stabilization rods in crossed disposition

A spine stabilization assembly for maintaining at least two spine stabilization rods in crossed disposition, the assembly comprising:

• a first spine stabilization rod, the first spine stabilization rod extending longitudinally and having two ends, each of the ends being suitable for fixation to a vertebral body of the spinal column;
• and
• a second spine stabilization rod, the second spine stabilization rod extending longitudinally and having two ends, each of the ends being suitable for fixation to a vertebral body of the spinal column,
• the first and second spine stabilization rods being suitably sized for implantation adjacent a spinal column in crossed disposition,
• each of the first and second spine stabilization rods having a bore through a central portion of the rod, the rods being compressible against one another at their central portions in crossed disposition relative to one another;
• and
• a compression providing element that is applicable to the rods through the bores to compress the rods together in crossed disposition;
• whereby the assembly is useful for stabilizing a portion of the spinal column.

A spine stabilization assembly for maintaining at least two spine stabilization rods in crossed disposition, the assembly comprising:

• a first spine stabilization rod, the first spine stabilization rod extending longitudinally and having two ends, each of the ends being suitable for fixation to a vertebral body of the spinal column;
• and
• a second spine stabilization rod, the second spine stabilization rod extending longitudinally and having two ends, each of the ends being suitable for fixation to a vertebral body of the spinal column,
• the first and second spine stabilization rods being suitably sized for implantation adjacent a spinal column in crossed disposition;
• a rod supporting body having a first rod receiving channel in which the first spine stabilization rod is dispositionable, and a second rod receiving channel in which the second spine stabilization rod is dispositionable and when therein is angulatable, through a plurality of angles, relative to the first spine stabilization rod when the first spine stabilization rod is disposed in the first rod receiving channel;
• and
• a compression providing element that is applicable to the rod supporting body to compression lock the first spine stabilization rod in the first rod receiving channel and to compression lock the second spine stabilization rod in the second rod receiving channel and to compressively fix the angle at which the second spine stabilization rod is angulated with respect to the first spine stabilization rod.