Spinal stabilization installation instrumentation and methods

1. A vertebral stabilization installation tool comprising:

a handle;

an elongate shaft having a proximal end connected to the handle, the elongate shaft extending away from the handle along a longitudinal axis of the installation tool, the elongate shaft comprising:

a conduit that directs a stabilization member through the elongate shaft from the proximal end toward a distal end, wherein the stabilization member is a flexible elongate member adapted to extend between anchors affixing the stabilization member to adjacent vertebrae;

a ramp located at the distal end that receives the stabilizing member from the conduit and discharges the stabilizing member in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the installation tool;

an anchoring mechanism connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the anchoring mechanism configured to discharge an anchor to secure the stabilizing member;

a driver actuatable to discharge the anchor from the installation tool and drive the anchor into a vertebra; and

a second conduit extending from the proximate end of the elongate shaft to the distal end, the second conduit configured to guide the driver and direct discharge of the anchor.

2. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second handle pivotably coupled to the elongate shaft and actuatable to advance the stabilization member from the proximal end toward the distal end.

3. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 1 , wherein the anchoring member includes a cartridge coupled to the second conduit proximate the distal end of the elongate shaft, the cartridge housing a plurality of anchors feedable to the driver.

4. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 3 , wherein the cartridge comprises a spring that applies a force on the plurality of anchors to feed anchors to the driver.

5. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cutter extending along the elongate shaft and operable to sever a portion of the stabilization member adjacent to the ramp.

6. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 5 , further comprising:

a second handle pivotably coupled to the elongate shaft and actuatable to advance the stabilization member from the proximal end toward the distal end; and

a control mechanism movable between a first position and a second position so actuation of the second handle advances the stabilization member when the control mechanism is in the first position and actuates the cutter when the control mechanism is in the second position.

7. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second handle pivotably coupled to the elongate shaft and actuatable to advance the stabilization member from the proximal end toward the distal end; and

a third handle pivotably coupled to the elongate shaft, spaced away from the second handle, and actuatable to actuate the driver.

8. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 7 , further comprising:

a control mechanism movable between a first position and a second position so actuation of the second handle performs a first function when the control mechanism is in the first position and a second function when the control mechanism is in the second position.

9. A vertebral stabilization installation tool comprising:

a first handle;

an elongate shaft having a proximal end connected to the first handle, the elongate shaft extending away from the first handle and terminating at a distal end, the elongate shaft comprising:

a conduit that directs a stabilization member through the elongate shaft from the proximal end toward the distal end; and

a ramp located at the distal end that receives the stabilizing member from the conduit and redirects the stabilizing member as the ramp discharges the stabilizing member;

a second handle connected to the elongate shaft and spaced away from the first handle, the second handle actuatable to controllably advance the stabilizing member; and

a cutter extending along the elongate shaft and operable to sever a portion of the stabilization member adjacent to the ramp.

10. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 9 , further comprising:

an anchoring mechanism connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the anchoring mechanism configured to discharge an anchor to secure the stabilizing member.

11. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 10 , further comprising:

a driver actuatable to discharge the anchor from the installation tool and drive the anchor into a vertebra.

12. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 11 , further comprising:

a second conduit extending from the proximate end of the elongate shaft to the distal end, the second conduit guiding the driver and directing discharge of the anchor.

13. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 12 , wherein the anchoring member includes a cartridge coupled to the second conduit proximate the distal end of the elongate shaft, the cartridge housing a plurality of anchors feedable to the driver.

14. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 13 , wherein the cartridge comprises a spring that applies a force on the plurality of anchors to feed anchors to the driver.

15. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 11 , further comprising:

a third handle pivotably coupled to the elongate shaft, spaced away from the second handle, and actuatable to actuate the driver.

16. The vertebral stabilization installation tool of claim 9 , further comprising:

a control mechanism movable between a first position and a second position so actuation of the second handle advances the stabilization member when the control mechanism is in the first position and operates the cutter when the control mechanism is in the second position.