Patent ID: 8262662

Claim:
A spinal implant and access system, comprising: a U-shaped receiver member having a recess formed therein and adapted to seat a spinal connector; a bone-engaging member extending distally from the receiver member and adapted to engage bone to mate the receiver member to bone; an extension member extending proximally from the receiver member and defining a lumen extending therethrough, the extension member having a length that is greater than about 55 mm such that the extension member is adapted to span through a skin surface in a patient to the U-shaped receiver member when the bone engaging member is implanted in a vertebra, and a frangible portion formed thereon and adapted to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto to allow at least a portion of the extension member to be separated from the receiver member; and a removal tool configured to be inserted into the lumen in the extension member and having a threaded engagement member with an increasing thread diameter configured to apply a radially directed force to an inner surface of the extension member to break and separate the extension member from the receiver member.