Patent ID: 7736370

Claim:
A method of interconnecting first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal column of a patient, said method comprising: inserting an access port into a body of the patient, the access port having a recess in a distal portion; moving a first fastener through the access port and securing the first fastener to a first vertebra of the spinal column; moving a second fastener through the access port and securing the second fastener to a second vertebra of the spinal column; moving the first longitudinal member through the access port and connecting the first longitudinal member to the first and second fasteners; inserting a second access port into the body of the patient; moving a third fastener through the second access port and securing the third fastener to the first vertebra of the spinal column; extending an instrument through the recess and removing tissue to create a passage from one side of a mid-line of the spinal column to another side of the mid-line of the spinal column; moving a transverse connector through the access port; connecting a first end of the transverse connector to the first longitudinal member; and connecting a second end of the transverse connector to the second longitudinal member.