Patent ID: 9730738
Date: 2017-08-15
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method of inserting a spinal rod into yokes of at least two pedicle screw assemblies having yoke manipulators connected thereto, the method comprising: connecting a distal end portion of a spinal rod inserter shaft to a proximal end portion of the spinal rod so that the spinal rod proximal end portion is substantially collinear with the spinal rod inserter shaft distal end portion; keeping the connected spinal rod inserter shaft and spinal rod mechanically disconnected from first and second yoke manipulators connected to yokes of pedicle screw assemblies to allow the inserter shaft and spinal rod to be advanced along a mechanically unguided path outside of the first yoke manipulator toward the yoke connected thereto; and passing a distal end portion of the spinal rod through entrance and exit openings of the first yoke manipulator and at least an entrance opening of the second yoke manipulator with the spinal rod proximal end portion and spinal rod inserter shaft distal end portion still substantially collinear.