Percutaneous vertebral stabilization system

A method for inserting a vertebral stabilization member percutaneously, comprising:

• providing a stabilization member extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a first longitudinal axis;
• and
• providing a stabilization member insertion device releasably linked to the stabilization member,
• providing a first sleeve and a second sleeve attachable to a first bone anchor and a second bone anchor,
• wherein the insertion device extends from a proximal end to a distal end along a second longitudinal axis, the insertion device comprising a first member and a second member,
• wherein the first member is linearly translatable with respect to the second member along the second longitudinal axis,
• wherein the stabilization member is linkingly engaged to the first member at a first axial location along the stabilization member and rotatably engaged to the second member at a second axial location along the stabilization member that is axially offset from the first axial location such that, when the first member is translated with respect to the second member along the second longitudinal axis the stabilization member rotates about the second member,
• wherein the rod has at least one indentation along its length, wherein the stabilization member insertion device is rotatably linked to the stabilization member about the indentation;
• and
• wherein the stabilization member is actuatable by the insertion device from a first orientation substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis to a second orientation substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis
• wherein at least one of the first and second sleeves includes one or more resilient tabs integral with a sidewall of at least one of the first and second sleeves, wherein one or more of the resilient tabs includes a ramp portion and lip portion.

A method of percutaneously installing a vertebral stabilization system comprising the steps of:

• creating a first and second opening in a body of a patient;
• positioning a first anchor to a vertebral body through the first opening with a first access sleeve connected to the first anchor;
• positioning a second anchor to a vertebral body through the second opening with a second access sleeve connected to the second anchor;
• positioning a stabilization member through the first opening to engage the first anchor, positioning the stabilization member along the longitudinal axis through the central channel in the first access sleeve in a first orientation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first access sleeve;
• and
• rotating the stabilization member with respect to the insertion device independent of movement along the longitudinal axis such that the stabilization member extends in a second orientation angled with respect to the first orientation to position the stabilization member in relation to the first anchor, positioning the stabilization member such that the stabilization member is positioned within the first and second anchor;
• wherein the stabilization member is rotatably linked to the insertion device, and the insertion device is configured and dimensioned to be received within the first access sleeve such that the insertion device and stabilization member are moveable in the longitudinal direction to position the stabilization member adjacent the first anchor
• wherein at least one of the first and second access sleeves includes one or more resilient tabs integral with a sidewall of at least one of the first and second sleeves, wherein one or more of the resilient tabs includes a ramp portion and lip portion.