Patent ID: 8758413

Claim:
A method for selecting and installing a dynamic pedicle screw comprising the steps of: inter-operatively, using a torque device to provide information relative to an individual's bone quality in order to determine the appropriate modulus of elasticity for a pedicle screw, said torque device having at least a handle, a clutching mechanism, and a socket adapted to receive a plurality of interchangeable devices; connecting said handle to said clutching mechanism having a first and second end, said handle operatively connected to said first end of said clutching mechanism; connecting a socket member to said second end of said clutching mechanism; said clutching mechanism including an adjustment member to selectively vary a torque setting wherein said clutch mechanism will slip and the torque entering the first end of the clutch mechanism will not be transmitted to the second end of the clutch mechanism; attaching a tap device having tap threads into the socket member and positioning said threads adjacent a hole to be tapped; setting said adjustment member at a low torque setting and advancing said tap device; applying torque to said handle until the clutch member slips or said tap device has advanced an appropriate distance; if said tap device has not reached the appropriate distance increasing said torque setting on said adjustment member at incrementally higher values until the tap device has been advanced to said appropriate distance; correlating the amount of torque applied to said torque device with the selection of a dynamic pedicle screw having a particular modulus of elasticity; and selecting a dynamic pedicle screw with a particular modulus of elasticity based upon the final torque setting utilized in advancing the tap device to the appropriate distance.