Patent ID: 7951175
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of manipulating a vertebra, the method comprising: connecting a first bone anchor to a first vertebra, connecting a second bone anchor to a second vertebra, positioning a spinal rod in a receiving member of the first bone anchor and in a receiving member of the second bone anchor, connecting a first instrument to the receiving member of the first bone anchor, the first instrument having a distal end comprising fingers configured to engage the first bone anchor, connecting a second instrument to the receiving member of the second bone anchor, the second instrument having a distal end comprising fingers configured to engage the second bone anchor, providing a connector comprising a first arm having a first end and a second arm having a second end, wherein the first and second arms are substantially parallel to each other along a connector arm axis when the first and second ends are coupled together, adjusting a first receiving element of the connector along the connector arm axis relative to a second receiving element of the connector, positioning the first instrument in the adjusted first receiving element of the connector, the first receiving element allowing polyaxial motion of the first instrument relative to the first receiving element, positioning the second instrument in the second receiving element of the connector, the second receiving element allowing polyaxial motion of the second instrument relative to the second receiving element, coupling the first end of the first arm of the connector to the second end of the second arm of the connector to sandwich the first receiving element and the second receiving element of the connector between the first arm and the second arm of the connector, and moving the connector to manipulate the first instrument and the second instrument to rotate the first vertebra and the second vertebra relative to one another.