Patent ID: 8292896

Claim:
A method for delivery of an orthopedic implant onto a target location within a spinal column of a subject, comprising: identifying said target location using an imaging technique; positioning a segment of an implant insertion member in proximity to said target location, said implant insertion member comprising an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a curvilinear trajectory, said elongated body comprising an internal bore configured and sized to permit advancement of said orthopedic implant there through; attaching a first end of a fixation member to a proximal segment of said implant insertion member, via an attachment member comprising a locking feature configured to reversibly immobilize said first end of said fixation member and said implant insertion member; attaching a second end of said fixation member rigidly onto a first surface having a defined spatial relationship to said target location, said fixation member being configured to limit movement of said implant insertion member relative to said target location in at least one plane; rotating said implant insertion member from a location outside said subject to said target location; and advancing said orthopedic implant through said internal bore of said implant insertion member and onto said target location.