Patent ID: 9277940
Filing Date: 2016-03-08
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system into a patient, the spinal stabilization system including a connecting element configured to be secured to first and second vertebral anchors within the patient's body, the method comprising: coupling an end of a first positioning tool to the first vertebral anchor, the first positioning tool passing through a first location on a patient's skin and the first vertebral anchor being coupled to a first vertebral body; simultaneously inserting a delivery device and the connecting element together into the patient at the first location; simultaneously advancing the delivery device and the connecting element together along at least a portion of the first positioning tool with the delivery device slidably disposed over at least a portion of the connecting element, wherein the first positioning tool is configured to facilitate simultaneous insertion of the delivery device and the connecting element; directing the delivery device and connecting element generally toward the second vertebral anchor from the first positioning tool; positioning a portion of the delivery device and a first portion of the connecting element between the first vertebral anchor and the second vertebral anchor; securing the first portion of the connecting element to the second vertebral anchor; retracting the delivery device from the connecting element to expose a second portion of the connecting element; and securing the exposed second portion of the connecting element to the first vertebral anchor after retracting the delivery device from the connecting element to expose the second portion of the connecting element.