Patent ID: 8216241

Claim:
An instrument for manipulating a spinal fixation element relative to a bone anchor, the instrument comprising: a bone anchor grasping mechanism having a central axis and including a first arm having a proximal end with a handle portion located on a first side of the central axis, a distal end located on a second, opposite side of the central axis, the distal end having a guiding portion angled inwardly toward the central axis and being configured to engage a first receiving portion provided on the bone anchor, and an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal and distal ends, the intermediate portion having a housing through which the central axis extends from a proximal end of the mechanism to a distal end of the mechanism; a first adjustment mechanism including a second arm pivotally connected to the housing of the first arm, the second arm having a proximal end with a handle portion located on the second side of the central axis and a distal end located on the first side of the central axis, the distal end having a guiding portion angled inwardly toward the central axis and being configured to engage a second receiving portion provided on the bone anchor, the second arm being operable to adjust the spinal fixation element in a first direction upon pivoting relative to the first arm; and a second adjustment mechanism being movable relative to the bone anchor grasping mechanism to adjust the spinal fixation element in a second direction, generally perpendicular to the first direction, relative to the bone anchor.