Patent ID: 7462182

Claim:
An instrument for reducing a connecting member relative to an anchor, comprising: an actuating assembly; a shaft assembly extending distally from said actuating assembly, said shaft assembly including a reducing member extending through an outer sleeve, said reducing member being movable distally and proximally relative to said outer sleeve with said actuating assembly; and an engaging assembly at a distal end of said shaft assembly, said engaging assembly including a pair of arms movable between an open position for receiving the anchor and connecting member therebetween and an engaged position wherein said arms engage opposing sides of the anchor while permitting the instrument to be pivoted about the anchor with the connecting member between the arms, wherein said reducing member includes a distally opening receptacle for receiving the anchor and to align the anchor with said shaft assembly as said reducing member is moved distally toward the anchor to move the connecting member and anchor relative to one another, wherein said pair of arms are pivotally coupled on opposite sides of said outer sleeve, and said reducing member includes a pair of ears extending from opposite sides thereof, said pair of arms extending through respective ones of said pair of ears.