Flexible Guide for Insertion of a Vertebral Stabilization System

A system for implantation of a spinal stabilization system comprising:

• an implant guide including a handle and a shaft extending from the handle, a distal end of the shaft configured for engagement with a head portion of a vertebral anchor, the shaft being flexible away from an equilibrium configuration;
• and
• an insert slidably disposed along the shaft of the implant guide, the insert including a curved shaft portion having a curvature;
• wherein the curved shaft of the insert subjects the shaft of the implant guide into a curved configuration away from the equilibrium configuration.

A system for use in the installation of a spinal stabilization system comprising:

• a vertebral anchor including a head portion and a shaft portion, the head portion including a threaded opening extending into the head portion from an upper end of the head portion;
• an implant guide including a handle and a shaft extending from the handle, a distal end of the shaft configured for engagement with the head portion of the vertebral anchor;
• and
• a docking member inserted along the shaft of the implant guide, a distal end of the docking member including a post sized for insertion into the threaded opening of the head portion of the vertebral anchor;
• the shaft being slidable relative to the docking member such that in a first configuration the distal end of the shaft is disengaged from the head portion of the vertebral anchor while the post of the docking member is positioned in the threaded opening of the vertebral anchor, and in a second configuration the distal end of the shaft is engaged with the head portion of the vertebral anchor while the post of the docking member is positioned in the threaded opening of the vertebral anchor.

A method of engaging a vertebral anchor with an implant guide, the method comprising:

• providing a docking member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;
• engaging the distal portion of the docking member with a head portion of a vertebral anchor implanted into a bone of a spinal column;
• with the distal portion of the docking member engaged with the head portion of a vertebral anchor, sliding an implant guide along the docking member toward the head portion of the vertebral anchor;
• engaging a distal end of the implant guide with the head portion of the vertebral anchor while the distal portion of the docking member remains engaged with the head portion of the vertebral anchor;
• and
• disengaging the distal portion of the docking member from the head portion of the vertebral anchor once the distal end of the implant guide is engaged with the head portion of the vertebral anchor.