A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human
spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion
implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal
fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member
made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of
sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae
and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the
vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the
spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted
intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to
engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation deice is bound to
the spinal fusion implant by a locking means. The spinal fixation device
of the present invention is of great utility in restraining the vertebrae
adjacent to the spinal fusion implant from moving apart as the spine is
extended and also serves as an anchor for a multi-segmental spinal
alignment means for aligning more that one segment of the spine.