Patent ID: 8152714

Claim:
A device for performing a procedure on the spine of a patient, comprising: a working portal configured to be advanced toward a surgical site of the spine of the patient; said working portal comprising: a distal end and a proximate end; a working portal housing having an interior channel disposed between said distal end and said proximate end; said distal end is configured to be disposed at the surgical site and said proximate end is disposed away from said surgical site; said working portal housing has a curved shape defined between said proximate end and said distal end; an exterior channel disposed on an outside surface of said working portal housing and between said distal end and said proximate end; and an anterior awl configured to be advanced toward the surgical site along said exterior channel and further configured to anchor said working portal at the surgical site, wherein said working portal is configured to allow advancement of at least one surgical tool and/or at least one implant toward the surgical site.