Segmental rib carriage instrumentation and associated methods

A method for manipulating curvature of a human spine comprising the steps of:

• selecting a first spinal rod and contouring said first spinal rod to define, in three dimensions, an at least partially corrected first dorsal contour of a first plurality of first ribs substantially along a first line lying in a first plane which first plane lies closely adjacent to said spine on a first side of said spine;
• selecting a second spinal rod and contouring said second spinal rod to define, in three dimensions, an at least partially corrected second dorsal contour of a second plurality of second ribs substantially along a second line lying in a second plane which second plane lies closely adjacent to said spine on a second side of said spine;
• selecting a third plurality of first rib carriages configured for attachment to said first spinal rod and respectively to each of a like fourth plurality of said first ribs on a first side of said spine of a recipient of said apparatus;
• selecting a fifth plurality of second rib carriages configured for attachment to said second spinal rod and respectively to each of a like sixth plurality of said second ribs on a second side of said spine of said recipient of said apparatus;
• attaching each of said first rib carriages respectively to each of said first ribs of said fourth plurality of said first ribs along said first line;
• attaching each of said second rib carriages respectively to each of said second ribs of said sixth plurality of said second ribs along said second line;
• attaching each of said first rib carriages to said first spinal rod;
• and
• attaching each of said second rib carriages to said second spinal rod wherein each of said first and said second rib carriages comprises a ring unit and a cam insert, each said ring unit including a loop structure on a first side of said ring unit and defining, on a second side of said ring unit, a spinal rod recess for partially enveloping a portion of one of said spinal rods, each said ring unit further exhibiting cam insert mating means adjacent said spinal rod recess for mechanically mating with said cam insert, said cam insert being sized and configured relative to said cam insert mating means whereby when said cam insert is mated with said cam insert mating means, said cam insert exerts a first force on a first side of said one of said spinal rods and a second force, oppositely directed from said first force, on said ring unit, said first and said second forces being vectored whereby said ring unit exerts a third force on a second side of said one of said spinal rods, substantially opposite said first side of said one of said spinal rods, said third force being applied in a substantially opposing direction from said first force whereby said one of said spinal rods is lodged between and substantially immobilized relative to said rib carriage.