Patent ID: 7645280
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A guide member comprising: an offset member; a coupling portion connected to the offset member, the coupling portion of the guide member configured to couple with a coupling portion of a vertebral screw disposed within a vertebra along a first longitudinal axis such that the guide member is rotatable about the first longitudinal axis; and an alignment member connected to the offset member, the alignment member comprising an opening extending through at least a portion of the alignment member along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the second longitudinal axis intersects with the first longitudinal axis within the vertebra, wherein the opening is configured to receive a drilling device for drilling an opening in the vertebra along the second longitudinal axis such that a connecting screw later disposed within the opening in the vertebra is aligned for coupling with a portion of the vertebral screw within the vertebra.