Patent ID: 7597694

Claim:
An instrument system for reducing displacement between adjacent bony structures, comprising: an inserter engageable to a connecting element to percutaneously position the connecting element adjacent an anchor securable to at least one of the adjacent bony structures; and at least one anchor extension mountable to the anchor and extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein said anchor is manipulatable percutaneously with said at least one anchor extension to position said anchor for engagement with said connecting element, said at least one anchor extension including a first member and a second member, said second member being mountable to said anchor, and said first member and said second member being structured and configured to be axially movable relative to one another to contact said connecting element with said first member and move said anchor and said connecting element toward one another while said second member is mounted to said anchor, wherein said second member includes a pair of jaws movable relative to one another to releasably engage said anchor therebetween, wherein said first member is coupled to said pair of jaws, said pair of jaws moving between an open position and a closed position in correspondence with a relative positioning between said first member and said second member.