Patent ID: 8246625

Claim:
An apparatus for rod reduction, comprising: a first assembly including a first pivot element and a distal portion adapted to engage an orthopedic implant head; and a second assembly including a sleeve portion defining an interior region and having a second pivot element pivotably engaged with said first pivot element to pivotably connect said second assembly to said first assembly, a rod reducer portion slidably engaged within said interior region of said sleeve portion and having at least one hollow adapted to receive an orthopedic rod, and an adjustment mechanism including a shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis and being displaceable relative to said sleeve portion generally along said longitudinal axis, said shaft portion connected to said rod reducer portion whereby axial displacement of said shaft portion relative to said sleeve portion slidably displaces said rod reducer portion along said interior region of said sleeve portion; wherein said first assembly comprises an inner piece including said distal portion and an outer piece defining a lumen, at least a portion of said inner piece slidably positioned within said lumen of said outer piece; wherein said distal portion of said inner piece defines a distal opening sized to receive a portion of the orthopedic implant head; and wherein sliding said outer piece toward said distal portion of said inner piece causes an inner surface of said outer piece to contact an outer surface of said inner piece and exert inward pressure onto said inner piece whereby said distal portion of said inner piece is compressed about said portion of the orthopedic implant head.