Patent ID: 7955355
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for providing access to a spine of a patient, the system comprising: a first cannula comprising a proximal end and a distal end insertable into the patient proximate the spine, the distal end comprising a docking element shaped to mate with a first connecting element implantable in a first vertebra of the spine, the first cannula further comprising a first slot portion formed in a side wall of the first cannula, the first slot portion having a longitudinal axis, and a feature longitudinally aligned with the first slot portion on the longitudinal axis of the first slot portion, the first cannula further comprising a second slot portion arranged diametrically opposed to the first slot portion to permit passage of a spinal fusion rod through the first cannula along a direction transverse to a central axis of the first cannula; wherein the feature is separated from the first slot portion by an intervening element spanning a region substantially between the first slot portion and the feature; wherein, upon implantation of the first connecting element in the first vertebra and mating of the docking element with the first connecting element, the feature is visible outside skin of the patient to indicate a subcutaneous orientation of the first slot portion.