Patent ID: 8460308

Claim:
A method of inserting and reducing a spinal rod into a fixation device assembly, comprising: assembling a fixation device assembly comprising a fixation device configured to be engaged with a bone and a rod receiver element having an outer surface comprising a pair of opposed longitudinal channels, each channel intersected cross-wise by a slot; coupling a cannula assembly to the receiver element, the cannula assembly comprising: a reduction cannula having an internal bore extending between a proximal region and a distal region; and an insertion cannula co-axially positioned within the internal bore of the reduction cannula, wherein the insertion cannula comprises a pair of opposed prongs and at least one flexible projecting element extending distally from a distal region of the insertion cannula, wherein the pair of opposed prongs of the insertion cannula and the distal region of the reduction cannula are aligned to collectively define an opening that is sized and shaped for receiving a connecting rod; sliding the prongs of the insertion cannula into the longitudinal channels of the receiver element, wherein the flexible projecting element temporarily splays outward and subsequently passively recoils into latched engagement with the slots intersecting the longitudinal channels as the prongs slide into the channels; inserting the connecting rod into the opening; and moving the reduction cannula distally toward the fixation device while the insertion cannula maintains the fixation device assembly in a desired position.