Patent ID: 7867259
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A minimally invasive surgical method, comprising: accessing at least one of a disc space and an intertransverse space between adjacent vertebrae from a first location on a patient; inserting from the first location at least one device into the at least one disc space and intertransverse space; engaging from the first location first and second anchors to corresponding ones of the adjacent vertebrae; and positioning a connecting element proximate the first and second anchors, wherein the first and second anchors each include an anchor extension extending proximally therefrom through the first location to a second location outside the patient and the anchor extensions each include a U-shaped opening at its distal end that is aligned with a passageway defined by respective ones of the first and second anchors and positioning the connecting element includes positioning the connecting element so it extends through the aligned anchor extensions and first and second anchors.