Spinal instrumentation system with articulated modules

A spinal osteosynthesis apparatus, comprising:

• a first module having a first ball;
• a second module defining a first socket, said first socket receiving said first ball therein, said second module being elastically deformable to receive said first ball in said first socket by a clipping action and to retain said first ball in said first socket, said second module being configured to permit positioning of said first module relative to said second module while said first ball is retained in said first socket and to selectively clamp said first ball in said first socket to provide a generally rigid assembly;
• and
• wherein at least one of said first module and said second module carries a bone anchorage element configured to engage a patient's spine.

A spinal osteosynthesis apparatus, comprising:

• a first chain of a first number of articulated modules, said first modules being connected together by a corresponding first number of ball-and-socket joints, a first one of said first modules including a first hook configured to engage a patient's spine, and a second one of said first modules defining a first opening configured to receive a first threaded fastener for engaging the patient's spine;
• a second chain of a second number of articulated modules, said second modules being connected together by a corresponding second number of ball-and-socket joints, a first one of said second modules including a second hook configured to engage the patient's spine, a second one of said second modules defining a second opening configured to receive a second threaded fastener for engaging the patient's spine;
• and
• wherein a third one of said first modules is transversely connected to a third one of said second modules by a ball-and-socket joint laterally disposed between said first chain and said second chain.