Patent ID: 9265538
Filing Date: 2016-02-23
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method for reducing a spinal fixation element into a bone anchor, comprising: attaching a drive mechanism to a surgical sleeve, the drive mechanism having an actuator, a support pivotally coupled to the actuator at a first pivot, a cap element, and a second pivot disposed between the support and the cap element at a location separate from the first pivot such that the cap element is pivotally connected to the support and the surgical sleeve is attached to the cap element; rotating the cap element with respect to the support; removably coupling a driver to the drive mechanism such that the driver extends into the surgical sleeve; and actuating the drive mechanism to apply a force to the driver causing the driver to contact a spinal fixation element and to slide linearly and along a central axis in a distal direction of the surgical sleeve thereby reducing the spinal fixation element into a bone anchor.