Patent ID: 8632550

Claim:
A method for creating access to a portion of a patient's spine, the method comprising: pivotably coupling a proximal end of a curved guide member to a fixed center of rotation by detachably attaching the proximal end of the curved guide member to a distal end of a guide arm with a latching assembly on the distal end of the guide arm, the guide arm having a proximal end configured to pivot about the fixed center of rotation; positioning the curved guide member to extend along a curved path from an opening in the patient's skin to a location proximate the portion of the patient's spine by moving the distal end of the curved guide member along the curved path by pivoting the curved guide member about the fixed center of rotation; subsequently to the step of pivotably coupling, inserting a distal end of a bore of a curved cannula over the proximal end of the curved guide member; and moving the distal end of the curved cannula over the curved guide member and through body tissues to the location proximate the portion of the patient's spine such that a proximal end of the curved cannula is proximate the opening in the patient's skin.