Patent ID: 8663292
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of facilitating insertion of a spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element comprising: providing a reduction sleeve, the reduction sleeve having a longitudinal axis, an upper end having an upper opening, a lower end having a lower opening, an outer surface, a through-bore extending from the upper opening to the lower opening, the through-bore defining an inner surface, and a channel extending from the upper end towards the lower end, the channel being substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis and in communication with the upper end opening, the reduction sleeve further comprising at least one break-off point or region for facilitating breaking the reduction sleeve into multiple pieces, aligning the rod-receiving channel of the bone fixation element with the channel in the reduction sleeve for passing a spinal rod through the channels; attaching the bone fixation element to bone; inserting the spinal rod into the channel of the reduction sleeve; urging the spinal rod into the rod receiving channel of the bone fixation element by engaging the threads on the reduction sleeve and rotating at least a portion of the rod reduction instrument to contact and move the spinal rod down into the channel of the bone fixation element; securing the spinal rod within the rod-receiving channel of the bone fixation element by threadedly engaging a set screw with the rod receiving channel of the bone fixation element; and removing the reduction sleeve.