Patent ID: 8500750

Claim:
A spinal instrument comprising: a bone anchor engaging tool comprising a first anchor engaging member having a proximal end and a distal end a second anchor engaging member having a proximal end and a distal end, the second anchor engaging member being pivotally connected to the first anchor engaging member at a pivot point, manipulation of the proximal ends of the first and second anchor engaging members causing the distal ends of the first and second anchor engaging members to rotate about the pivot point between a closed position in which the distal ends are proximate one another and an open position in which the distal ends are displaced from one another, the first and second anchor engaging members being spaced apart a distance to form a central opening sized to receive an a spinal rod adjusting tool therein, the central opening having a central axis extending from the proximal ends of the first and second anchor engaging members and the distal ends of the first and second anchor engaging members, the distal ends of the first and second anchor anchoring members being spaced equidistantly from the central axis in the open position, the closed position, and during rotation between the open and closed positions, 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 central opening between the first and second anchor engaging members, the rod adjusting tool being axially adjustable through the central opening relative to the bone anchor engaging tool to adjust a spinal rod relative to a bone anchor connected to the bone anchor engaging tool; 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 at least one of an inner surface of the first anchor engaging member and on an inner surface of the second anchor engaging member, the thread engaging a mating thread formed on the rod adjusting tool.