Patent ID: 8394107

Claim:
A guide device for use with a spinal fixation element, the guide device comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end with a handle disposed thereon and a distal end; a guide member mated to the distal end of the elongate shaft and having opposed superior and inferior sides, opposed first and second transverse sides extending between the superior and inferior sides, and proximal and distal ends, the guide member having first and second pathways formed within a single lumen and extending therethrough between the proximal and distal ends of the guide member, the first and second pathways having central axes that extend in a plane that is parallel to the superior and inferior sides of the guide member, the distal end of the elongate shaft being offset from the first and second pathways; at least one alignment tab extending distally beyond the distal end of the guide member, the at least one alignment tab being configured to interact with a spinal fixation element to position the guide member with respect to the spinal fixation element such that the first and second pathways in the guide member are aligned with a pair of corresponding thru bores formed in the spinal fixation element; and a cut-out portion formed in at least one of the superior and inferior sides of the guide member, the cut-out portion extending from the distal end of the guide member toward a proximal end of the guide member.