Patent ID: 7278995

Claim:
An apparatus for facilitating securing of a spinal rod within an anchoring device having an open end and a locking cap for securing the spinal rod within the open end, which comprises: a handle; an elongated body connected to the handle and defining a longitudinal axis; a pair of jaws mountable to the elongated body, the jaws adapted for relative movement between an open displaced position and a closed position, the jaws defining structure for engaging the anchoring device when in the closed position thereof; a locking shaft disposed within the elongated body and operatively engageable with the locking cap of the anchoring device, the locking shaft being moveable relative to the elongated body to move the locking cap to a secured position thereof within the anchoring device to secure the spinal rod relative to the anchoring device; and a rod persuader disposed within the locking shaft and adapted for longitudinal movement therein, the rod persuader being advanceable within the elongated body and the locking shaft to operatively engage the spinal rod for urging the spinal rod into the open end of the anchoring device.