Patent ID: 7803158

Claim:
A system for accurately guiding placement of a bone engaging element in a bone comprising: a guide configured to guide movement of the bone engaging element toward a location on a bone, said guide having a bore through which said bone engaging element may be advanced, and said bore defining a first longitudinal axis; and a support apparatus configured to support said guide, said support apparatus including; a support body mountable to the bone; an arm extending from said support body; and a position adjustment assembly supported on said arm, said position adjustment assembly including (i) a first gross adjustment mechanism configured to permit gross adjustment of said guide in relation to said, support body along a second longitudinal axis, (ii) a first fine adjustment mechanism configured to permit fine adjustment of said guide in relation to said support body along said second longitudinal axis, (iii) a second gross adjustment mechanism configured to permit gross adjustment of said guide in relation to said support body along a third longitudinal axis, (iv) a second fine adjustment mechanism configured to permit fine adjustment of said guide in relation to said support body along said third longitudinal axis, and (v) a third adjustment mechanism configured to permit adjustment of said guide in relation to said support body along said first longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis is not coincident with said second longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis is not coincident with said third longitudinal axis, and wherein said second longitudinal axis is not coincident with said third longitudinal axis.