Patent ID: 7824411

Claim:
An instrument for adjusting a spinal rod relative to a bone anchor, the instrument comprising: a bone anchor engaging tool including a first jaw member having a proximal end, a distal end, an arcuate section between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface, and a second jaw member having a proximal end, a distal end, an arcuate section between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface, the second jaw member being pivotally connected to the first jaw member about at least one pivot point located proximate the distal ends of the first and second jaw members, the arcuate section of the first jaw member and the arcuate section of the second jaw member connecting to define an annular collar therebetween, manipulation of the proximal ends of the first and second jaw member causing each of the distal ends to rotate about the at least one pivot point to engage at least a portion of a bone anchor; a rod adjusting tool connectable to the bone anchor engaging tool and having a proximal end and a distal end, the rod adjustment tool positionable within the annular collar between the first and second jaw members, the rod adjusting tool being axially adjustable through the annular collar between the first and second jaw members relative to the bone anchor tool to adjust a spinal rod relative to the bone anchor; and an adjustment mechanism to facilitate the connection and adjustment of the rod adjusting tool relative to the bone anchor engaging tool, the adjustment mechanism comprising a thread formed on the inner surface of the first jaw member and a thread formed on the inner surface of the second jaw member, the thread of the first jaw member and the thread of the second jaw member engaging a mating thread formed on the rod adjusting tool.