Patent ID: 8840621

Claim:
A system for creating access to a location proximate a portion of a spine, the system comprising: a targeting post comprising a first end positionable at a reference location proximate the spine; a curved guide member having a proximal end and a distal end; an adapter member having an attachment mechanism for attaching the adapter member to a second end of the targeting post, the attachment mechanism being configured to prevent rotation of the adapter member with respect to the targeting post, and a swing arm post projecting from the adapter member, the swing arm post having a first axis positioned at a fixed angle in a range of approximately 15 degrees to approximately 75 degrees relative to the targeting post; and a swing arm having a first end configured for rotating attachment to the swing arm post of the adapter member and a second end configured for nonrotating attachment to the proximal end of the curved guide member; whereby, when the adapter member is attached to the second end of the targeting post, and the first end of the swing arm is attached to the swing arm post of the adapter member, and the curved guide member is attached to the second end of the swing arm, the curved guide member is rotatable about the first axis to advance the distal end of the curved guide member to a target location having a known position relative to the reference location.