Patent ID: 7686809

Claim:
An inserter tool for coupling a spinal rod with an implant comprising: an outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated opening extending between the proximal and distal ends; a handle secured to the proximal end of said outer shaft; an inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said inner shaft being telescopically received within the elongated opening of said outer shaft and being adapted to move between the proximal and distal ends of said outer shaft; a compressible clamping tip secured to the distal end of said inner shaft, said clamping tip including a first section having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said first section secured to the distal end of said inner shaft, a flexible arm that extends from the distal end of the first section, and an opening disposed between the first section and the flexible arm; a knob coupled with the proximal end of said inner shaft, said knob being rotatable in a first direction for extending said clamping tip from the distal end of said outer shaft and in a second direction for retracting said clamping tip into the distal end of said outer shaft so as to compress the flexible arm of said clamping tip toward the first section of said clamping tip.