Patent ID: 8100951

Claim:
A method for stabilizing a portion of a spinal column, comprising: engaging at least one anchor to at least one vertebra; providing an extension from the at least one anchor with the extension extending proximally from the at least one anchor to a proximal end remote from the at least one anchor; and guiding a connecting element through tissue of a patient to a space adjacent the anchor with an inserter instrument including a proximal handle portion and an inserter arm extending distally from said proximal handle portion, wherein said inserter arm includes a curved profile from said handle portion to a distal end of said inserter arm, wherein said inserter arm includes a bore with a locking mechanism therein, said locking mechanism including a shaft portion extending between an engaging end adjacent a distal end of said inserter arm and an opposite end coupled to an actuating member adiacent a proximal end of said inserter arm, wherein said shaft portion extends along said curved profile of said inserter arm from said engaging end to said opposite end, said actuating member being pivotally mounted to said inserter instrument for movement between an unlocked position wherein said engaging end projects from said distal end of said inserter arm to receive said connecting element to a locked position wherein said actuating member moves said engaging end into said bore of said inserter arm, said inserter arm engaging said engaging end as said engaging end is moved therein to engage said connecting element to said engaging end; and wherein neither the connecting element nor the inserter instrument are engaged to or guided by the extension to the space.