Patent ID: 9737346
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A surgical method, comprising: inserting a bone fixation element through a reduction sleeve, the bone fixation element having a head portion, a shank extending distally from the head portion, and a receiver in which the head portion is seated, wherein the bone fixation element is inserted into the reduction sleeve such that the shank extends through and is completely surrounded by a lower opening formed in the reduction sleeve and such that a tapered distal surface of the receiver abuts a corresponding tapered surface of the reduction sleeve, the lower opening being formed in the tapered surface of the reduction sleeve; driving the shank of the bone fixation element into bone; positioning a spinal rod in a rod-receiving channel of the reduction sleeve and a rod-receiving channel of the receiver; and removing the reduction sleeve from the bone fixation element, wherein positioning the spinal rod comprises advancing a reduction instrument along a threaded surface of the reduction sleeve to urge the rod into the rod-receiving channel of the receiver.