Patent ID: 8372081

Claim:
A spinal distraction system for distracting a space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra wherein the first vertebra has a bone anchor implanted therein and the second vertebra has a second bone anchor implanted therein, comprising: a distraction assembly comprising: a first anchor engaging element having a body portion with a first bore extending therethrough and a first anchor engaging arm extending from said body and configured to engage said first bone anchor, said body portion including a pair of grooves; a second anchor engaging element having a guide bar dimensioned to be received within said first bore and having a second anchor engaging arm extending from said guide bar and configured to engage said second bone anchor, said guide bar defining a longitudinal axis; an adjuster having a first gear and a second bore coaxial with the first bore on said body portion and situated around the guide bar, the adjuster being attached to the body portion such that the adjuster is freely rotatable relative to the body portion and longitudinally fixed to the body portion, wherein rotation of the adjuster around said guide bar causes said body portion to move from one position on said guide bar to another position on said guide bar; and a distraction tool that releasably engages said distraction assembly to operate said adjuster and move said body portion from one position on said guide bar to another position on said guide bar, wherein the distraction tool includes a pair of arms that grasp said pair of grooves on said body portion and a second gear mateable with said first gear.