Patent ID: 8647347
Filing Date: 2014-02-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An instrument for manipulating a spinal fixation element relative to a bone anchor, the instrument comprising: a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to both engage a first receiving portion of a bone anchor and to direct a spinal fixation element in a direction generally toward a central axis of the instrument and toward a spinal fixation element receiving portion of the bone anchor; a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm such that the first arm and the second arm are pivotable about a pivot axis that intersects the first arm and the second arm, the second arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to both engage a second receiving portion of the bone anchor and to direct the spinal fixation element generally toward the central axis of the instrument and toward the spinal fixation element receiving portion of the bone anchor; a housing coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm and being disposed between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the housing having a threaded bore disposed therethrough; and an adjustment mechanism movable through the threaded bore and relative to at least one of the first arm and the second arm, the adjustment mechanism being operable to move the spinal fixation element distally with respect to the instrument and toward the spinal fixation element receiving portion of the bone anchor to assist in seating the spinal fixation element in the spinal fixation element receiving portion of the bone anchor, wherein a longitudinal axis along which the adjustment mechanism is configured to move is parallel to and in a different longitudinal plane than a longitudinal plane extending longitudinally through the proximal ends of the first and second arms, and wherein a location at which the housing is coupled to one of the first and second arms is in or adjacent to the longitudinal plane extending longitudinally through the proximal ends of the first and second arms.