Patent ID: 8100915
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A guide tool for implanting a spinal rod in a patient wherein: a) said guide tool being non-integral with and adapted to be selectively and removably joinably attached at a lower end thereof to a spinal implant bone screw; b) said guide tool including a longitudinal channel with a central axis extending upwardly from said lower end thereof; said channel being sized and shaped so as to be adapted to receive the rod laterally positioned with respect to the axis of the channel for operably guiding the rod from a position exterior of the bone screw toward and into the bone screw; c) said guide tool having a helically wound first guide and advancement structure located near a bottom thereof; d) said first guide and advancement structure providing a helical pathway adapted to rotatably and matingly receive a mating closure top structure of a bone screw closure top; and e) said first guide and advancement structure also being adapted to be aligned during removable attachment of the tool with the bone screw with a second guide and advancement structure on the bone screw so as to continue said helical pathway when the guide tool is joined with the bone screw; the guide tool being elongate and being sized and shaped to extend outside the patient when the guide tool is attached to the bone screw so as to be adapted to transfer the closure top between the guide tool and the bone screw upon rotation of the closure top.