Patent ID: 8663281

Claim:
An apparatus for use in percutaneously attaching an additional construct to a spinal rod in an existing spinal construct implanted in a patient, comprising: a rod connector extension assembly comprising a rod connector and a rod connector introducer including a first elongate extension releasably secured to said rod connector, said rod connector comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion including an opening for receipt of said existing spinal rod and a rod engagement member, said second portion having a first end including opposite sides with an axis extending through said opposite sides, said second portion including a connecting portion defining an elongate additional rod projecting therefrom and terminating in a free distal second end, said first end of said second portion being releasably secured at one side directly to said first elongate extension along said axis, the opposite side of said first end of said second portion being directly attached to said first portion, said first portion being rotatable about said axis independently of said second portion; and an elongate access port having a distal end for placement into said patient adjacent said existing spinal construct and a length terminating in a proximal end for projecting out from the patient's skin when the distal end is positioned adjacent said existing construct, said access port including a perimetric sidewall and a lumen extending lengthwise interiorly of said sidewall and being sized to receive said rod connector introducer with said rod connector secured thereto for attachment of said rod connector to said existing spinal rod, said rod connector being manipulable through said access port by said rod connector introducer from outside said patient from a top loading direction along said axis to attach said rod connector to said existing spinal rod at a location spaced distally along said axis from the location where said first elongate extension and said second portion are releasably secured.