Patent ID: 9486257
Filing Date: 2016-11-08
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method for urging alignment of a distal leading end of a connecting rod with an opening of a long arm screw tower of a pedicle screw system where the connecting rod is misaligned for passage through the opening of the long arm screw tower, the method comprising: providing a rod reduction tool including: engaging the rod reduction tool by placing it at least one of over or into the long arm screw tower where the distal leading end of the connecting rod is misaligned with the opening of the long arm screw tower, so that the alignment extension member and paddle remain outside of the long arm screw tower during engagement of the elongate shaft, the paddle being disposed on a side of the opening of the long arm screw tower against the distal leading end of the connecting rod; rotating the proximal handle portion of the rod reduction tool to urge the distal leading end of the connecting rod in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction relative to the longitudinal axis of said elongate shaft and into alignment with the opening in the long arm screw tower, so that the connecting rod is received into the opening of the long arm screw tower.