Patent ID: 7648507
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A spinal rod inserter tool, comprising: an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a pivoting element having first and second opposed ends, the first end being pivotally coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and the second end having a mating element adapted to releasably engage a spinal rod such that the spinal rod is parallel with a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second opposed ends of the pivoting element, the pivoting element being movable between a first position, in which the longitudinal axis of the pivoting element is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a second position, in which the longitudinal axis of the pivoting element is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and an actuator mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and operably connected to the pivoting element to move the pivoting element between the first and second positions.