Patent ID: 7887539
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A tool for seating a spinal rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, the tool comprising: a body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion including a first and second flexible branch for gripping a spinal implant, said flexible branches being biased to a closed position, said flexible branches being spaced-apart a distance to form a first substantially U-shaped recess, said first substantially U-shaped recess opening at an end of the distal end portion and extending proximally from the end; an inserter shaft slidably received within said body, said inserter shaft having a distal end adapted to hold a closure mechanism for said implant; a threaded collar, adapted to couple said body and said inserter shaft, wherein said inserter shaft forces a spinal rod into the rod-receiving portion of said implant; and a substantially cylindrical outer sleeve disposed about the distal end portion of the body and movable between a first position and a second position in which the outer sleeve surrounds the branches to inhibit separation of the first and second flexible branches, the outer sleeve including a pair of spaced-apart arms at a distal end of the outer sleeve, the arms defining a second substantially U-shaped recess, the second substantially U-shaped recess aligning with the first substantially U-shaped recess when the outer sleeve is in the second position to accommodate a spinal rod within the first substantially U-shaped recess and the second substantially U-shaped recess.