Method and apparatus for bone stabilization

A stabilization system for implantation in a patient, comprising:

• at least first and second bone anchors, each bone anchor including a shaft extending in a respective bone insertion direction for connection to a respective bone of a patient, and a fastening member;
• and
• an elongate member comprising first and second end portions, each extending in respective insertion directions, and a connecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction transverse to the respective insertion directions, the connecting portion including first and second sections;
• and
• a coupling for interconnecting the first and second sections of the connecting portion.

An access sleeve for use in implanting a stabilization system into a patient, comprising:

• an exterior surface;
• first and second spaced apart ends, the second end being operatively connectable to a rod fastening member of a bone anchor;
• an interior surface defining a volume;
• a slot extending at least partially along a length of the exterior surface of the access sleeve and providing an opening into the volume;
• and
• a channel extending along a length of the interior surface, being disposed substantially opposite to the slot, and including a contour complementing a contour of an end of an interconnecting rod.

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one bone anchor including a shaft extending in a bone insertion direction for connection to a respective bone of a patient, and a fastening member;
• and
• an access sleeve for use in guiding an elongate member into the fastening member during implantation, the access sleeve including:
• an exterior surface, first and second spaced apart ends, the second end being operatively connected to the fastening member of the bone anchor, an interior surface defining a volume, a slot extending at least partially along a length of the exterior surface of the access sleeve and providing an opening into the volume, and a channel extending along a length of the interior surface, being disposed substantially opposite to the slot, and including a contour complementing a contour of an end of the elongate member.