Spinal Fixation device

Claim 1

An implantable spinal column vertebral fixation for bridging at least one vertebral segment, comprising: (a) a support bar having a longitudinal axis with a length corresponding to the vertebral segment which is to be bridged and having ends thereof threaded in opposite rotational directions; (b) a pair of threaded jaw supports which are attachable to the two threaded support bar ends; (c) a plurality of bone screws having heads extending radially from one end of the screw; (d) a pair of bolt jaws rotatively attachable to the jaw supports and defining an axis of rotation between the jaws and the jaw support which is perpendicular to the support bar longitudinal axis, the bolt jaws each having a clamping screw oriented perpendicularly to the support bar longitudinal axis with the clamping screw selectively attachable to the jaw supports for rigidly locking the jaw support to the bolt jaw, the clamping screw having a longitudinal axis; (e) means for receiving the bone screws within the bolt jaw, which are oriented for captured passage of the bone screw therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to each of the support bar and clamping screw longitudinal axes, so that the bone screws can be tightened with the heads substantially flush with the bolt jaw without cutting the bone screws; and (f) the bolt jaws having recesses directly therein separate from the receiving means for engagement of lever-like positioning instruments, for alignment of vertebral segments attached to the fixation device.