Patent ID: 8323286

Claim:
A system for minimally invasive surgery, comprising: at least one bone anchor including a distal bone engaging portion and a proximal receiving portion; at least one anchor extender extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to releasably engage with said at least one bone anchor, said at least one anchor extender including a proximally facing bearing surface; an inserter instrument including a connecting element engaging member and being engageable with said at least one anchor extender and movable toward said distal end portion; and wherein a portion of said inserter instrument contacts said bearing surface as said inserter instrument is distally moved toward said distal end portion and an orientation of said connecting element engaging member relative to said longitudinal axis changes in response to said portion of said inserter instrument contacting said bearing surface; wherein said inserter instrument includes an elongated housing extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and said portion of said inserter instrument that contacts said bearing surface is defined by a lever arm pivotably coupled with said proximal end portion of said elongated housing.