Patent ID: 8414588

Claim:
A device for delivery of a spinal rod to a bone anchor, the device comprising: an inner tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the inner tube having a first slot formed therein, the first slot opening at the distal end of the inner tube and extending a first slot length toward the proximal end of the inner tube; an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube, the outer tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the outer tube being sized to span from at least a skin incision in a patient to a predetermined site proximate the spine of the patient, the outer tube having an internal thread provided within the lumen of the outer tube, the outer tube having a second slot formed therein, the second slot opening at the distal end of the outer tube and extending a second slot length toward the proximal end of the outer tube, the distal end of the outer tube being adapted to releasably engage a bone anchor, the inner tube being adjustable relative to the outer tube along the longitudinal axis of the outer tube between a first position and a second position in which the distal end of the inner tube contacts the bone anchor, the first slot length and the second slot length sized to span at least from a skin incision to the distal ends of the inner tube and the outer tube, respectively, such that the first slot and the second slot may be accessible from outside of the patient when the device is in use in surgery; a spring positioned within the outer tube and interposed between the inner tube and the outer tube, the spring biasing the inner tube distally; and a cylindrical locking member positioned within the lumen of the outer tube, the locking member having a central lumen and an external thread for engagement with the internal thread within the lumen of the outer tube, the locking member being adjustable relative to the outer tube along the longitudinal axis of the outer tube between a proximal position in which the locking member is spaced apart from the inner tube to permit proximal axial movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube and a distal position in which the locking member abuts the proximal end of the inner tube to inhibit proximal axial motion of the inner tube relative to the outer tube, the central lumen of the locking member and the lumen of the inner tube being sized to pass a closure mechanism for a bone anchor therethough.