Patent ID: 8105361

Claim:
A minimally invasive method for delivering a spinal fixation rod to one or more spinal screw sites, comprising: percutaneously delivering a first spinal screw though a first incision, the first spinal screw having a first percutaneous access device mated thereto, the first percutaneous access device including a lumen extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis; advancing a second spinal screw through a second incision that is separate and distinct from the first incision, the second spinal screw having a second percutaneous access device mated thereto, the second percutaneous access device including a lumen extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis; introducing a leading end of a spinal fixation rod through a slot formed in a sidewall of the first percutaneous access device; and manipulating the spinal fixation rod to position the spinal fixation rod to extend between the first and second spinal screws.