Spinal fixation apparatus and method

Abstract

A spine fixation apparatus and method including at least one longitudinal rod mounted parallel to the axis of the spine and having a plurality of stem clamps adjustably mounted to the longitudinal rod. Each stem clamp has a stem extending outwardly therefrom with the diameter of the stem being identical to the diameter of the longitudinal rod. A plurality of C-clamps are provided and are mounted to the stems and to the longitudinal rods. A plurality of bone pins are provided and are used to preliminarily mount the spinal fixation construct to the spine to allow the surgeon to determine by X-ray the accuracy of the construct with regard to the spine. A plurality of innovative bone screws are used to simultaneously anchor the C-clamps to the bone and to the respective stem and longitudinal rod. The bone screws are configured with a smaller diameter at the distal end having threads thereon for threadedly engaging the underlying bone. The bone screw includes a threaded shoulder for threadedly engaging the Cclamp to clamp the same to the stems and the longitudinal rod. The thread pitch is identical for both threaded sections of the bone screw. A second longitudinal rod can also be used to create the spinal implant construct and be coupled to the first longitudinal rod through a plurality of cross-link plates.

1. A spinal fixation apparatus comprising:
 a longitudinal rod;  
 a plurality of stem clamps mounted to said longitudinal rod, each of said stem clamps comprising a clamp body having a stem extending outwardly therefrom and an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said upper jaw being resiliently joined to said lower jaw through a cylindrical sidewall, said cylindrical sidewall forming one portion of a lateral throughbore through said clamp body for slidingly receiving said longitudinal rod in clamping relationship, said clamp body including a transverse throughbore passing through said upper jaw and said lower jaw, the portion of said transverse throughbore through said lower jaw having threads therein, said stem clamp including a bolt for passing through said transverse throughbore and threadedly engaging said threads in said lower jaw thereby compressing said upper jaw toward said lower jaw to securely anchor said stem clamp to said longitudinal rod;  
 a plurality of C-clamps mounted to said stems and to said longitudinal rod, each of said C-clamps including a clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw resiliently connected to said upper jaw through a cylindrical sidewall, said cylindrical sidewall forming a lateral throughbore through said clamp body for selectively receiving said longitudinal rod and said stems, said clamp body including a transverse throughbore through said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said transverse throughbore including threads in said lower jaw; and  
 a bone screw for selectively securing said C-clamp to said longitudinal rod and said stem, said bone screw also mounting said C-clamp to bone, said bone screw having an elongated screw body and a screw head, said screw body having a distal end and a proximal end with said proximal end being adjacent said screw head, said screw body having a reduced diameter from said distal end to a diametrally enlarged shoulder adjacent said screw head, said reduced diameter passing through said transverse throughbore in said C-clamp in a nonbinding relationship, said screw body having a first set of threads with said diametrally enlarged shoulder having a second set of threads, said second set of threads being configured to threadedly engage said threads in said lower jaw of said C-clamp.  
 
     
     
       2. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein said bone screw includes said first set of threads and said second set of threads having an identical thread pitch. 
     
     
       3. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 2  wherein said threads have an angled face toward said distal end and an orthogonally oriented face toward said proximal end. 
     
     
       4. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein said spinal fixation apparatus includes a second longitudinal rod spaced from said longitudinal rod and with a second plurality of said stem clamps mounted to said second longitudinal rod, a second plurality of said C-clamps mounted to said stems of said second plurality of said stem clamps, and a second plurality of said bone screws mounting said C-clamps to the bone. 
     
     
       5. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 4  wherein said spinal fixation apparatus includes a cross-link plate mounted between said longitudinal rod and said second longitudinal rod, said cross-link plate having a first end and a second end with a first eyelet formed in said first end and a second eyelet formed in said second end, said cross-link plate having a shank extending between said first eyelet and said second eyelet, said shank having a square profile at the midsection of said shank. 
     
     
       6. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein said C-clamp includes an angular offset of said lower jaw from said upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle within the range on the order of about one degree to ten degrees. 
     
     
       7. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein said C-clamp includes a detent means as an engagement means on said C-clamp. 
     
     
       8. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein said stem clamp includes an angular offset of said lower jaw from said upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle within the range on the order of about one degree to ten degrees. 
     
     
       9. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinal rod includes a right angle bend formed in said longitudinal rod. 
     
     
       10. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein said stem on said stem clamp is of the same diameter as said longitudinal rod. 
     
     
       11. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein said C-clamp includes a bone pin for temporarily mounting said spinal fixation apparatus to the spine prior to inserting said bone screws into the spine. 
     
     
       12. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 11  wherein said bone pin comprises a handle segment for hand grasping said bone pin and a pin segment for insertion through said C-clamp and into the bone of the spine, said bone pin thereby releasably mounting said C-clamp to the spine. 
     
     
       13. A spinal fixation apparatus for implantation on a spine comprising:
 a first longitudinal rod for placement on the spine at one side of and generally parallel to the spinous process of the spine;  
 a second longitudinal rod for placement on the spine at the other side of and generally parallel to the spinous process of the spine;  
 a plurality of stem clamps mounted to said first longitudinal rod and said second longitudinal rod;  
 a plurality of C-clamps mounted to said stem clamps and to said first longitudinal rod and to said second longitudinal rod, said C-clamp comprising a clamp body having an upper law and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore passing between said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said clamp body having a transverse throughbore passing orthogonally through said upper jaw and said lower jaw with the portion of said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw having threads therein, said C-clamp further including engagement means for engaging said C-clamp with said bone screw, said bone screw comprising a bolt head at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end, said bone screw having a threaded shaft between said proximal end and said distal end with said threaded shaft having a threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder adjacent said bolt head and a threaded, diametrally reduced screw body between said shoulder and said tip, the thread pitch for said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder being identical to said threaded, diametrally reduced screw body, said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder threadedly engaging said threads in said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw of said C-clamp thereby providing said engagement means for said C-clamp;  
 a plurality of bone screws mounted to said C-clamps, said bone screws being operable to secure said C-clamps to the spine; and  
 at least one cross-link plate interconnecting said first longitudinal rod to said second longitudinal rod.  
 
     
     
       14. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 13  wherein each of said first longitudinal rod and said second longitudinal rod includes a right angle bend. 
     
     
       15. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 13  wherein said stem clamp comprises a clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore passing between one edge of said clamp body, said throughbore telescopically selectively receiving said first and second longitudinal rods, said clamp body including a transverse throughbore passing orthogonally through said upper jaw and said lower jaw with the portion of said transverse throughbore through said lower jaw having threads therein, said clamp body including a stem extending orthogonally therefrom, said stem clamp including a bolt means for threadedly engaging said threads to bring said upper jaw toward said lower jaw and constrict said lateral throughbore thereby securing said stem clamp to said longitudinal rod. 
     
     
       16. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 13  wherein said upper jaw includes an angular offset from said lower jaw to accommodate being compressed downwardly upon tightening with said bone screw, said angular offset comprising an angle within the range on the order of about one degree to ten degrees. 
     
     
       17. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 13  wherein said stem clamp includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw, said lower jaw having an angular offset from said upper jaw, said angular offset being within the range on the order of about one to ten degrees. 
     
     
       18. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 13  wherein said bone screw comprises a screw having a head at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end, said screw having a diametrally enlarged shoulder adjacent said head, said shoulder having a first set of threads, said screw including a shaft extending between said shoulder and said tip, said shaft being diametrally smaller than said shoulder and having a second set of threads, said second set of threads having the same thread pitch as said first set of threads. 
     
     
       19. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 18  wherein said second set of threads includes a thread profile having a planar face orthogonal to the axis of said shaft, said planar face being oriented toward said head. 
     
     
       20. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 13  wherein said C-clamp includes a bone pin for temporarily mounting said C-clamp to the spine prior to inserting said bone screw, said bone pin having a handle and a pin extending therefrom, said pin having a reduced diameter to pass through said C-clamp and into the bone. 
     
     
       21. A method for providing fixation of a spine comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a longitudinal rod;  
 preparing a plurality of stem clamps with stems extending therefrom;  
 mounting said stem clamps to said longitudinal rod;  
 fabricating a plurality of C-clamps;  
 affixing said C-clamps to said longitudinal rod and to said stems of said stem clamps;  
 forming a plurality of bone screws;  
 securing said C-clamps to a spine with said bone screws; and  
 tightening said stem clamps and said C-clamps thereby providing spinal fixation with said longitudinal rod.  
 
     
     
       22. A method for providing fixation of a spine comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a longitudinal rod;  
 preparing a plurality of stem clamps with stems extending therefrom;  
 mounting said stem clamps to said longitudinal rod;  
 fabricating a plurality of C-clamps, said fabricating step including forming said plurality of bone screws with a first threaded section and a second threaded section, said first threaded section having a smaller diameter sufficient to pass through said transverse throughbore in said C-clamp, said second threaded section threadedly engaging said set of threads in said C-clamp thereby selectively clamping said C-clamp to said longitudinal rod and said stem;  
 affixing said C-clamps to said longitudinal rod and to said stems of said stem clamps;  
 forming a plurality of bone screws;  
 securing said C-clamps to a spine with said bone screws; and  
 tightening said stem clamps and said C-clamps thereby providing spinal fixation with said longitudinal rod.  
 
     
     
       23. The method defined in  claim 22  wherein said fabricating step includes preparing said C-clamp as a pair of opposed jaws having a lateral throughbore therethrough for slideably receiving said longitudinal rod or said stem of said stem clamp, said preparing step including forming a transverse throughbore through said upper jaw and said lower jaw and creating a set of threads in the lower jaw portion of said transverse throughbore. 
     
     
       24. The method defined in  claim 22  wherein said obtaining step includes providing a second longitudinal rod and affixing said second longitudinal rod to the spine along with said longitudinal rod using said stem clamps, said C-clamps, and said bone screws. 
     
     
       25. The method defined in  claim 24  wherein said providing step includes coupling said longitudinal rod to said second longitudinal rod with a cross-link plate. 
     
     
       26. The method defined in  claim 25  wherein said coupling step includes forming said cross-link plate with a first end and a second end and a first eyelet in said first end and a second eyelet at said second end, said forming step including providing a shank between said first eyelet and said second eyelet, said providing step including forming said shank with a square cross-sectional profile thereby deformably adjusting said cross-link plate to said longitudinal rod and said second longitudinal rod. 
     
     
       27. The method defined in  claim 22  wherein said forming step includes preparing threads on said bone screw for securely engaging bone with said threads, said preparing step including shaping said threads with a generally flat surface orthogonal to the axis of said bone screw, said flat surface being oriented to the outer surface of the bone as said bone screw is inserted into the bone. 
     
     
       28. The method defined in  claim 22  wherein said affixing step includes obtaining a plurality of bone pins and ascertaining the placement of said longitudinal rod, said stem clamps, and said C-clamps prior to said securing step by mounting said C-clamps to the spine with said bone pins. 
     
     
       29. A spinal fixation apparatus comprising:
   a first elongate support member having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion; and      attaching means for releasably attaching the first elongate support member to at least two vertebrae of a human spine to thereby intercouple said vertebrae to one another.   
     
     
       30. The spinal fixation apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the attaching means further comprises means for intercoupling the first elongate support member to at least three different vertebrae of the spine. 
     
     
       31. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 29 , wherein the first, longer portion is at least three times the length of the second, shorter portion. 
     
     
       32. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 29 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a second elongate support member with a means for attaching in a substantially parallel fashion the second elongate support member parallel to and apart from the first elongate support member on the spine, said second elongate support member having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said second elongate support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion. 
     
     
       33. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 32 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for intercoupling the first elongate support member with the second elongate support member, such that the longer portion of said first elongate support member is spaced apart from the longer portion of said second elongate support member. 
     
     
       34. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 33 , wherein the means for attaching in a substantially parallel fashion comprises at least one stem clamp that is releasably mountable to the corresponding first elongate support member or the second elongate support member, the stem clamp comprising a concave sidewall, a body and a stem, said concave sidewall having a limited degree of resiliency and defining a lateral throughbore for holding the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member in place, said concave sidewall interconnecting with said body, said body comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said upper jaw having a transverse, non-threaded throughbore formed therein, said lower jaw having a transverse, threaded throughbore formed therein such that a fastener may pass through the upper jaw unobstructed while threadedly engaging the lower jaw such that threaded engagement operates to compress the concave sidewall, said upper jaw being attached to the stem. 
     
     
       35. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 34 , wherein the means for intercoupling the first elongate support member with the second elongate support member comprises the stem clamp and a cross-link member, wherein the cross-link member extends between the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member interconnecting said first elongate support member and said second elongate support member providing additional stabilization of the apparatus. 
     
     
       36. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 35 , wherein the cross- link member is fastened to the stem clamp by the fastener of the stem clamp, at least one of said stem clamp corresponding to the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member, wherein a first eyelet and a second eyelet of said cross-link member are aligned along the top of the transverse throughbore of the upper jaw of the stem clamp such that the fastener may pass therethrough thereby causing attachment of said cross-link member to said stem clamp interconnecting the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member for increased stabilization.   
     
     
       37. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 34 , wherein the stem of the stem clamp is attached to the body of said stem clamp independently of the fastener. 
     
     
       38. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 34 , wherein the stem clamp is configured and arranged to permit the first elongate support member to pass through space surrounded by the concave sidewall such that the concave sidewall compressibly grips upon the first elongate support member. 
     
     
       39. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 34 , wherein the lateral throughbore of the stem clamp has an interior diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first elongate support member when said stem clamp resides in a natural unbiased state to thereby allow said first elongate support member to slide through the lateral throughbore prior to the fastener engaging the threaded lower jaw compressing the concave sidewall and gripping the first elongate support member. 
     
     
       40. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 34 , wherein the stem of the stem clamp extends laterally from the upper jaw of the body of the stem clamp. 
     
     
       41. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 34 , wherein the stem clamp having an angular offset of said lower jaw from said upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle between the range of approximately one to ten degrees. 
     
     
       42. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 29 , wherein the attaching means further comprises at least one C-clamp having a clamp body, the clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore passing between said upper jaw and said lower jaw. 
     
     
       43. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 42 , wherein the clamp body further having a transverse throughbore passing through the upper jaw and the lower jaw with the transverse throughbore in said lower jaw having threads therein, said C-clamp further including engagement means for engaging said C-clamp with a bone screw, said bone screw comprising a bolt head at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end, said bone screw having a threaded shaft between said proximal end and said distal end with said threaded shaft having a threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder adjacent said bolt head and a threaded, diametrally reduced screw body between said shoulder and said tip, the thread pitch for said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder being identical to said threaded, diametrally reduced screw body, said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder threadedly engaging said threads in said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw of said C-clamp thereby providing said engagement means for said C-clamp. 
     
     
       44. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 29 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 a second elongate support member with a means for attaching in a substantially parallel fashion the second elongate support member parallel to and apart from the first elongate support member on the spine, said second elongate support member having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said second elongate support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion;    wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for intercoupling the first elongate support member with the second elongate support member, such that the longer portion of said first elongate support member is spaced apart from the longer portion of said second elongate support member;    wherein the means for attaching in a substantially parallel fashion comprises at least one stem clamp releasably mountable to the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member, the stem clamp comprising a concave sidewall, a body and a stem, said concave sidewall having a limited degree of resiliency and defining a lateral throughbore for holding the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member in place, said concave sidewall interconnecting with said body, said body comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said upper jaw having a transverse, non-threaded throughbore formed therein, said lower jaw having a transverse, threaded throughbore formed therein such that a fastener may pass through the upper jaw unobstructed while threadedly engaging the lower jaw such that said threaded engagement operates to compress the concave sidewall, said upper jaw being attached to the stem;    wherein the means for intercoupling the first elongate support member with the second elongate support member comprises the stem clamp and a cross-link member, wherein the cross-link member extends between the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member interconnecting said first elongate support member and said second elongate support member providing additional stabilization of the apparatus;    wherein the stem of the stem clamp is attached to the body of said stem clamp independently of the fastener;    wherein the stem clamp is configured and arranged to permit the first elongate support member to pass through space surrounded by the concave sidewall such that the concave sidewall compressibly grips upon the first elongate support member;    wherein the lateral throughbore of the stem clamp has an interior diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first elongate support member when said stem clamp resides in a natural unbiased state to thereby allow said first elongate support member to slide through the lateral throughbore prior to the fastener engaging the threaded lower jaw compressing the concave sidewall and gripping the first elongate support member;    wherein the stem of the stem clamp extends laterally from the upper jaw of the body of the stem clamp;    wherein the stem clamp having an angular offset of said lower jaw from said upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle between the range of approximately one to ten degrees.   
     
     
       45. A spinal fixation apparatus for implantation on a spine comprising:
 a first longitudinal rod comprising a first end and a second end, the first longitudinal rod further comprises at least one bend located between the first end and the second end of said first longitudinal rod forming a side arm; and    at least one stem clamp releasably mountable to said first longitudinal rod, the stem clamp comprising a concave sidewall, a body and a stem, the concave sidewall having a limited degree of resiliency and defining a lateral throughbore for holding the first longitudinal rod in place, said concave sidewall interconnecting with the body, said body comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, the upper jaw having a transverse, non-threaded throughbore formed therein, the lower jaw having a transverse, threaded throughbore formed therein such that a fastener may pass through said upper jaw unobstructed while threadedly engaging said lower jaw such that threaded engagement operates to compress said concave sidewall, said upper jaw being attached to the stem.   
     
     
       46. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the stem of the stem clamp is attached to the body of said stem clamp independently of the fastener. 
     
     
       47. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the stem clamp is configured and arranged to permit the first longitudinal rod to pass through space surrounded by the concave sidewall such that said concave sidewall compressibly grips upon said first longitudinal rod. 
     
     
       48. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the lateral throughbore of the stem clamp has an interior diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first longitudinal rod when said stem clamp resides in a natural unbiased state to thereby allow said first longitudinal rod to slide through said lateral throughbore of said stem clamp prior to the compression of the concave sidewall bringing the lower jaw into contact with the upper jaw and gripping said first longitudinal rod. 
     
     
       49. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the stem of the stem clamp extends laterally from the upper jaw of the body of said stem clamp. 
     
     
       50. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the stem clamp having an angular offset of the lower jaw from the upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle between the range of approximately one to ten degrees. 
     
     
       51. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein at least one C-clamp is releasably mountable to at least one of the group consisting of the stem of the stem clamp and the first longitudinal rod, said C-clamp comprising a clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore passing between said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said clamp body having a transverse throughbore passing through said upper jaw and said lower jaw with the transverse throughbore in said lower jaw having threads therein, said C-clamp further including engagement means for engaging said C-clamp with a bone screw, said bone screw comprising a bolt head at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end, said bone screw having a threaded shaft between said proximal end and said distal end with said threaded shaft having a threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder adjacent said bolt head and a threaded, diametrally reduced screw body between said shoulder and said tip, the thread pitch for said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder being identical to said threaded, diametrally reduced screw body, said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder threadedly engaging said threads in said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw of said C-clamp thereby providing said engagement means for said C- clamp.   
     
     
       52. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the first longitudinal rod having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said first longitudinal rod assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion. 
     
     
       53. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 52 , wherein the first, longer portion is at least three times the length of the second, shorter portion. 
     
     
       54. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the first longitudinal rod and the stem of the stem clamp have the same diameter. 
     
     
       55. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a second longitudinal rod placed parallel to and apart from the first longitudinal rod, the second longitudinal rod having a first end and a second end, said second longitudinal rod further having at least one bend located between the first end and the second end of said second longitudinal rod forming a side arm. 
     
     
       56. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 55 , wherein the second longitudinal rod being releasably mountable to the spine with at least one C-clamp, and selectively interconnected to the stem clamp, said stem clamp providing an additional attachment site closer to the pedicle of the spine for the C-clamp to interconnect with thereby providing additional stabilization of the apparatus on the spine. 
     
     
       57. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 55 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a cross-link member wherein the cross-link member extends between the first longitudinal rod and the second longitudinal rod interconnecting said first longitudinal rod and said second longitudinal rod providing additional stabilization of the apparatus. 
     
     
       58. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 57 , wherein the cross-link member is fastened to said stem clamp by the fastener of the stem clamp, at least one of said stem clamp corresponding to the first longitudinal rod and the second longitudinal rod, wherein a first eyelet and a second eyelet of said cross-link member are aligned along the top of the transverse throughbore of the upper jaw of the stem clamp such that the fastener may pass therethrough thereby causing attachment of said cross-link member to said stem clamp interconnecting the first longitudinal rod and the second longitudinal rod for increased stabilization. 
     
     
       59. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein:
 the stem clamp is configured and arranged to permit the first longitudinal rod to pass through space surrounded by the concave sidewall such that the concave sidewall compressibly grips upon the first longitudinal rod;    the stem of the stem clamp is attached to the body of said stem clamp independently of the fastener, wherein said stem of said stem clamp extends laterally from the upper jaw of the body of the stem clamp;    the lateral throughbore of the stem clamp has an interior diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first longitudinal rod when said stem clamp resides in a natural unbiased state to thereby allow said first longitudinal rod to slide through the lateral throughbore prior to the fastener engaging the threaded lower jaw compressing the concave sidewall and gripping the first longitudinal rod;    the stem clamp having an angular offset of the lower jaw from the upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle between the range of approximately one to ten degrees.   
     
     
       60. The spinal fixation apparatus defined in  claim 45 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 a second longitudinal rod having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said second longitudinal rod assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion, said first, longer portion is about three times the length of said second, shorter portion; and    wherein a right-angle bend formed in the first longitudinal rod such that said first longitudinal rod assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion, said first, longer portion is about three times the length of said second, shorter portion;    a cross-link member wherein the cross-link member extends between the first longitudinal rod and the second longitudinal rod interconnecting said first longitudinal rod and said second longitudinal rod providing additional stabilization of the apparatus;    wherein the cross-link member intercouples the first longitudinal rod with the second longitudinal rod, such that the longer portion of said first longitudinal rod is spaced apart from the longer portion of said second longitudinal rod;    wherein at least one stem clamp releasably mountable to the first longitudinal rod and the second longitudinal rod for attaching in a substantially parallel fashion;    wherein the stem of the stem clamp is attached to the body of said stem clamp independently of the fastener;    wherein the stem clamp is configured and arranged to permit the first longitudinal rod to pass through space surrounded by the concave sidewall such that the concave sidewall compressibly grips upon said first longitudinal rod;    wherein the lateral throughbore of the stem clamp has an interior diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first longitudinal rod when said stem clamp resides in a natural unbiased state to thereby allow said first longitudinal rod to slide through the lateral throughbore prior to the fastener engaging the threaded lower jaw compressing the concave sidewall and gripping the first longitudinal rod;    wherein the stem of the stem clamp extends laterally from the upper jaw of the body of the stem clamp;    wherein the stem clamp having an angular offset of said lower jaw from said upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle between the range of approximately one to ten degrees;    wherein the first longitudinal rod and the stem of the stem clamp have the same diameter.   
     
     
       61. A spinal fixation apparatus comprising:
 a first elongate support member having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion; and    attaching means for releasably attaching the first elongate support member to at least two vertebrae of a human spine to thereby intercouple said vertebrae to one another;    wherein the attaching means further comprises means for intercoupling the first elongate support member to at least three different vertebrae of the spine;    wherein the first, longer portion is at least three times the length of the second, shorter portion;    wherein the apparatus further comprises a second elongate support member with a means for attaching in a substantially parallel fashion the second elongate support member parallel to and apart from the first elongate support member on the spine, said second elongate support member having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said second elongate support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion;    wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for intercoupling the first elongate support member with the second elongate support member, such that the longer portion of said first elongate support member is spaced apart from the longer portion of said second elongate support member;    wherein the means for attaching in a substantially parallel fashion comprises at least one stem clamp that is releasably mountable to the corresponding first elongate support member or the second elongate support member, the stem clamp comprising a concave sidewall, a body and a stem, said concave sidewall having a limited degree of resiliency and defining a lateral throughbore for holding the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member in place, said concave sidewall interconnecting with said body, said body comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said upper jaw having a transverse, non-threaded throughbore formed therein, said lower jaw having a transverse, threaded throughbore formed therein such that a fastener may pass through the upper jaw unobstructed while threadedly engaging the lower jaw such that said threaded engagement operates to compress the concave sidewall, said upper jaw being attached to the stem;    wherein the means for intercoupling the first elongate support member with the second elongate support member comprises the stem clamp and a cross-link member, wherein the cross-link member extends between the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member interconnecting said first elongate support member and said second elongate support member providing additional stabilization of the apparatus;    wherein the cross-link member is fastened to the stem clamp by the fastener of the stem clamp, at least one of said stem clamp corresponding to the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member, wherein said first eyelet and said second eyelet of said cross-link member are aligned along the top of the transverse throughbore of the upper jaw of the stem clamp such that the fastener may pass therethrough thereby causing attachment of said cross-link member to said stem clamp interconnecting the first elongate support member and the second elongate support member for increased stabilization;    wherein the stem of the stem clamp is attached to the body of said stem clamp independently of the fastener;    wherein the stem clamp is configured and arranged to permit the first elongate support member to pass through space surrounded by the concave sidewall such that the concave sidewall compressibly grips upon the first elongate support member;    wherein the lateral throughbore of the stem clamp has an interior diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first elongate support member when said stem clamp resides in a natural unbiased state to thereby allow said first elongate support member to slide through the lateral throughbore prior to the fastener engaging the threaded lower jaw compressing the concave sidewall and gripping the first elongate support member;    wherein the stem of the stem clamp extends laterally from the upper jaw of the body of the stem clamp; and    wherein the stem clamp having an angular offset of said lower jaw from said upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle between the range of approximately one to ten degrees.   
     
     
       62. A spinal fixation apparatus for implantation on a spine comprising:
 at least one longitudinal rod comprising a first end and a second end, said longitudinal rod further comprises at least one bend located between the first end and the second end of said longitudinal rod forming a side arm;    at least one stem clamp releasably mountable to said longitudinal rod, said stem clamp comprising a concave sidewall, a body and a stem, said concave sidewall having a limited degree of resiliency and defining a lateral throughbore for holding the longitudinal rod in place, said concave sidewall interconnecting with said body, said body comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said upper jaw having a transverse, non-threaded throughbore formed therein, said lower jaw having a transverse, threaded throughbore formed therein such that a fastener may pass through the upper jaw unobstructed while threadedly engaging the lower jaw such that threaded engagement operates to compress the concave sidewall, said upper jaw being attached to the stem; and    at least one C-clamp mounted to at least one of the group consisting of the stem of the stem clamp and the longitudinal rod, said C-clamp comprising a clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore passing between said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said clamp body having a transverse throughbore passing through said upper jaw and said lower jaw with the transverse throughbore in said lower jaw having threads therein, said C-clamp further including engagement means for engaging said C-clamp with a bone screw, said bone screw comprising a bolt head at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end, said bone screw having a threaded shaft between said proximal end and said distal end with said threaded shaft having a threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder adjacent said bolt head and a threaded, diametrally reduced screw body between said shoulder and said tip, the thread pitch for said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder being identical to said threaded, diametrally reduced screw body, said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder threadedly engaging said threads in said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw of said C- clamp thereby providing said engagement means for said C-clamp.     
     
     
       63. A spinal fixation apparatus for implantation on a spine comprising:
 at least one longitudinal rod comprising a first end and a second end, said longitudinal rod further comprises at least one bend located between the first end and the second end of said first longitudinal rod forming a side arm; and    at least one C-clamp mounted to said longitudinal rod, said C-clamp comprising a clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore passing between said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said clamp body having a transverse throughbore passing through said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw having threads therein.   
     
     
       64. A spinal fixation apparatus for implantation on a spine comprising:
 at least one longitudinal rod comprising a first end and a second end, said longitudinal rod further comprises at least one bend located between the first end and the second end of said first longitudinal rod forming a side arm; and    at least one C-clamp mounted to said longitudinal rod, said C-clamp comprising a clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore passing between said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said clamp body having a transverse throughbore passing through said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw having threads therein; and    a bone screw comprising a bolt head at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end, said bone screw having a threaded shaft between said proximal end and said distal end with said threaded shaft having a threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder adjacent said bolt head and a threaded, diametrally reduced screw body between said shoulder and said tip, the thread pitch for said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder being identical to said threaded, diametrally reduced screw body, said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder threadedly engaging said threads in said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw of said C-clamp thereby providing said engagement means for said C-clamp;    wherein the C-clamp further including engagement means for engaging said C-clamp with a bone screw.   
     
     
       65. A spinal fixation apparatus for implantation on a spine comprising:
 a longitudinal rod comprising a first end and a second end, said longitudinal rod comprising at least one bend located between the first end and second end of said longitudinal rod forming a side arm;    a stem clamp having a concave sidewall, a body and a stem, said concave sidewall having a limited degree of resiliency for holding the longitudinal rod in place, said concave sidewall interconnecting with said body defining a lateral throughbore for engaging said longitudinal rod, said body comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said upper jaw having a transverse throughbore formed therein, said lower jaw having a transverse throughbore formed therein, wherein a fastener may pass through the upper jaw while engaging the lower jaw such that the fastener urges the upper jaw and the lower jaw together through compression forces to thereby fasten the stem clamp to the longitudinal rod; and    attaching means for attaching said stem of said stem clamp and said longitudinal rod to the spine thereby immobilizing at least two vertebrae of the spine increasing the rigidity of the spine for the stabilization and subsequent fusion of the vertebrae.   
     
     
       66. A spinal fixation apparatus comprising:
 an elongate support member having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion;    attaching means for releasably attaching the elongate support member to at least two vertebrae of a human spine to thereby intercouple said vertebrae to one another; and    a second elongate support member with a means for attaching in a substantially parallel fashion the second elongate support member parallel to and apart from the first elongate support member on the spine, said second elongate support member having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said second elongate support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion;    wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for intercoupling the first elongate support member with the second elongate support member, such that the longer portion of said first elongate support member is spaced apart from the longer portion of said second elongate support member;    wherein the attaching means further comprises means for intercoupling the elongate support member to at least three different vertebrae of the spine;    wherein the attaching means further comprises at least one C-clamp having a clamp body, the clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore passing between said upper jaw and said lower jaw;    wherein the clamp body of the C-clamp further having a transverse throughbore passing through the upper jaw and the lower jaw with the transverse throughbore in said lower jaw having threads therein, said C-clamp further including engagement means for engaging said C-clamp with a bone screw, said bone screw comprising a bolt head at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end, said bone screw having a threaded shaft between said proximal end and said distal end with said threaded shaft having a threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder adjacent said bolt head and a threaded, diametrally reduced screw body between said shoulder and said tip, the thread pitch for said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder being identical to said threaded, diametrally reduced screw body, said threaded, diametrally enlarged shoulder threadedly engaging said threads in said transverse throughbore in said lower jaw of said C-clamp thereby providing said engagement means for said C-clamp;    wherein the C-clamp is releasably mountable to the second, shorter portion of the elongate support member to thereby anchor the elongate support member to the spine;    wherein the C-clamp having an angular offset of said lower jaw from said upper jaw, said angular offset having an angle between the range of approximately one to ten degrees; and    wherein the first, longer portion is at least three times the length of the second, shorter portion.   
     
     
       67. A method for providing fixation of a spine comprising:
 (a) selecting an elongate support member having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion; and    (b) releasably attaching the elongate support member to at least two vertebrae of a human spine to thereby intercouple said vertebrae to one another, and releasably attaching at least three stem clamps to the longer portion of the elongate support member, and attaching each of said stem clamps to a bone screw.   
     
     
       68. A method for providing fixation of a spine comprising the steps of:
 obtaining at least one longitudinal rod having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion;    providing at least one C-clamp having an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a lateral throughbore, the lower jaw having a threaded transverse throughbore;    affixing said C-clamp to said longitudinal rod such that the longitudinal rod is located within the lateral throughbore;    providing at least one bone screw having a head and a shaft with a threaded shoulder disposed between the head and the shaft for matingly engaging the threaded transverse throughbore of the lower jaw;    securing said C-clamp to a spine with said bone screw; and    tightening said bone screw such that the head contacts the upper jaw causing the upper jaw to move to a position closer in proximity with respect to the lower jaw, such that the C-clamp provides spinal fixation with said longitudinal rod.   
     
     
       69. A method for providing fixation of a spine comprising the steps of:
 obtaining at least one longitudinal rod having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said support member assumes an “L” shape having a first, longer portion and a second, shorter portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said longer portion;    fabricating at least one stem clamp;    affixing said stem clamp to said longitudinal rod;      forming at least one bone screw;      securing said stem clamp to a spine with said bone screw; and    tightening said stem clamp thereby providing spinal fixation with said longitudinal rod.   
     
     
       70. A spinal fixation apparatus comprising:
   a first elongate support having a right-angle bend formed therein such that said support member has a first portion and a second portion, said second portion extending at a substantially right angle with respect to said first portion; and      attaching means for releasably attaching the first elongate support member to at least two vertebrae of a human spine to thereby intercouple said vertebrae to one another.   
     
     
       71. The spinal fixation apparatus of  claim 70 , wherein the attaching means comprises a bone screw having a threaded shaft located between a proximal end and a distal end with the threaded shaft having a shoulder adjacent a head of the bone screw, wherein the shoulder is enlarged with respect to said threaded shaft. 
     
     
       72. The spinal fixation apparatus of  claim 71 , wherein the attaching means further comprises a C-clamp having an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a lateral throughbore configured and dimensioned to receive the first elongate support member therein, wherein said C-clamp further comprises a transverse throughbore in the upper jaw and in the lower jaw, such that the enlarged shoulder of the bone screw engages the transverse throughbore of the lower jaw when the shaft of the bone screw is inserted through the transverse throughbore of the upper jaw and the transverse throughbore of the lower jaw. 
     
     
       73. A spinal fixation apparatus comprising:
 a first elongate support member;    a clamping member comprising a clamp body, the clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw, with a lateral throughbore defined by a sidewall passing between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, the lateral throughbore being configured and dimensioned to receive therein the first elongate support member; and    a slit comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is formed between the upper jaw and the lower jaw adjacent the lateral throughbore, and wherein the second opening is formed between the upper jaw and the lower jaw opposite the first opening;    wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening in an uncompressed, relaxed state, such that a lever is created to efficiently clamp the sidewall of the lateral throughbore against the first elongate support member as a compression force is applied to the clamping member, when the first elongate support member is located within the lateral throughbore;    wherein the clamping member comprises a stem clamp having a stem extending from and being attached to the upper jaw.   
     
     
       74. A spinal fixation apparatus comprising:
 a clamping member comprising a clamp body, the clamp body having an upper jaw and a lower jaw with a lateral throughbore defined by a sidewall passing between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, the lateral throughbore being configured and dimensioned to receive therein an elongate support member;    wherein the upper jaw of the clamping member comprises a top and bottom surface, and the lower jaw of the clamping member comprises a top and bottom surface;    wherein the top surface of the upper jaw is angularly offset from and with respect to the bottom surface of the lower jaw;    wherein the clamping member is a stem clamp, wherein the stem clamp further comprises a stem extending outwardly from the upper jaw.