Patent ID: 9370384
Filing Date: 2016-06-21
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method of traversing a pathway with a connecting member for bone implants comprising: providing an implant connecting member in the form of a bone fixation rod, said bone fixation rod including a main body having a proximate end, a center portion and a distal end, said proximate end including at least one arm supporting a transversely secured cylindrical portion, a side surface of said at least one arm including a circular surface, said circular surface having a plurality of frictional engagement features extending thereabout; providing an implantation instrument for delivery of the implant connecting member, said implantation instrument including a handle positioned at a proximate end thereof and a grasping region at the distal end thereof, said grasping region including at least one jaw member for rotatable cooperation with said cylindrical portion and at least one concave surface for frictional cooperation with said frictional engagement features, said implantation instrument having a first open position whereby said at least one jaw member is extended away from a body of said implantation instrument whereby said cylindrical surface is positionable within said at least one jaw member, said implantation instrument having a third position for said at least one jaw member whereby said circular surface having a plurality of frictional engagement features engages said concave surface whereby said bone fixation rod is fixed with respect to said implantation instrument, said implantation instrument having a mechanical manipulator for movement of said at least one jaw member between said first and said third positions, whereby said bone fixation rod is restrained from pivoting with respect to said insertion instrument; attaching said implantation instrument to said implant connecting member; and inserting said implant connecting member into a plurality of pedicle screws.