Patent ID: 8142436

Claim:
A reducer for rotatably mounting on a retractor having an elongated member having an elongated member rod-receiving channel, said reducer comprising: an elongated tubular member comprising a tubular wall having a first helical cut out area and a second helical cut out area, said first and second helical cut out areas being generally opposed and spaced approximately 180 degrees apart in said elongated tubular member and defining a reducer channel that is helical, said elongated tubular member being adapted to be mounted on the retractor, said reducer channel and said elongated member rod-receiving channel of said elongated member receiving a rod and cooperating to cause said rod to move in said elongated member rod-receiving channel of the elongated member and into a receiver rod-receiving channel of a receiver; said first helical cut out area and said second helical cut out area guiding said rod in said elongated member rod-receiving channel when said reducer is rotated and urging said rod axially along an axis of said reducer such that an axis of said rod remains generally radial with respect to said axis of said reducer; said first helical cut out area and said second helical cut out area extending along a longitudinal length of said elongated member to permit said elongated member to rotate greater than 360 degrees during said urging of said rod and rotation of said reducer.