Connection rod for screw or hook polyaxial system and method of use

1. A bone stabilization assembly for securing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, comprising:

first and second attachment devices each including a first end and a second end, said first end having threads for inserting into the bone segments, said second end having an enlarged area having a substantially spherically-shaped hollow core bordered by curved walls and an aperture therethrough;

first and second tension links each including a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having a substantially spherically-shaped tension link head and said distal end having a threaded shaft, said substantially spherically-shaped tension link head rotatably mounted within said substantially spherically-shaped hollow core, said threaded shaft extending through said aperture of said attachment devices;

a first rod member having a socket for accepting said enlarged area of said first attachment device and a tension link cavity for passing said shaft of said first tension link therethrough, said socket securable against said first attachment device by a link nut threaded over said shaft of said first tension link, said first rod member further comprising a shaft segment;

a clamp having a lower clamp portion and an upper clamp portion, each clamp portion including:

an interlocking zone that operatively engages at least a portion of said shaft segment of first rod member; and

a securing zone in spaced relation to said interlocking zone, each securing zone including a tension link cavity for passing said shaft of said second tension link therethrough,

wherein at least one said securing zone includes a receptacle adapted to accept said enlarged area of said second attachment device;

wherein each said interlocking zone of said clamp is placed into compression against said at least a portion of said shaft segment of said first rod member by tightening a tension link nut over said shaft of said second tension link.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said attachment devices are pedicle screws.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said shafts are extended.

4. A surgically implanted bone stabilization apparatus for securing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, the apparatus comprising:

a first attachment device configured to be attached to the first bone segment;

a second attachment device configured to be attached to the second bone segment;

a first rod member;

a first interconnection means for attaching said first rod member to said first attachment device;

a second rod member including an interlocking zone for operatively engaging at least a portion of said first rod member, wherein said second rodmember includes a lower clamp portion and an upper clamp portion,; and

a second interconnection means for attaching said second rod member to said second attachment device;

wherein said interlocking zone of said second rod member is interlocked with said at least a portion of said first rod member by tightening said second interconnection means.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said first interconnection means comprises a tension link and a tension link nut.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said second interconnection means comprises a tension link and a tension link nut.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said first attachment device is a pedicle screw.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said second attachment device is a pedicle screw.

9. A method of stabilizing a first vertebra to a second vertebra, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a first attachment device to the first vertebra and a second attachment device to the second vertebra, at least the second attachment device having a substantially spherically-shaped hollow core and a central aperture;

(b) connecting a first rod member comprising a shaft segment to the first attachment device using a first interconnecting mechanism;

(c) inserting a tension link having a shaft and a substantially spherically-shaped tension link head into the substantially spherically-shaped hollow core of the second attachment device such that the shaft of the tension link extends through the central aperture of the second attachment device;

(d) installing a second rod member having:

an interlocking zone for clamping at least a portion of the shaft segment of the first rod member; and

a securing zone in spaced relation to the interlocking zone, said installing step further comprising passing the shaft of the tension link through a tension link cavity in the second rod member; and

(e) securing the second rod member to said second attachment device and the at least a portion of the shaft segment of the first rod member by threading and tightening a tension link nut onto the shaft of the tension link.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the first interconnecting mechanism comprises a tension link and link nut.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the first interconnecting mechanism comprises receptacle formed in an end of the first rod member.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the second rod member comprises a lower clamp portion and an upper clamp portion.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the securing zone of the second rod member includes a receptacle at one end of the lower and upper clamp portions.

14. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the shaft of the tension link is an extended shaft.