Patent ID: 8852210

Claim:
A method for guiding a pedicle screw for a patient having a body, comprising the steps of: determining a suitable trajectory for inserting the pedicle screw into a pedicle of the patient; fixing the trajectory relative to a patient using a trajectory guide, wherein the trajectory guide is fixed at a fixation point outside the body of the patient, wherein fixing the trajectory comprises: positioning a flexible arm relative to the patient, wherein the flexible arm has a plurality of segments that are pivotally connected by joints, including at least one ball joint; fixing a position of the flexible arm by locking the joints of the flexible so that the joints will not pivot from their current positions; holding a cannula in a clamp that is coupled to the flexible arm, wherein the cannula serves as the trajectory guide for the trajectory; and locking a position of the cannula relative to the flexible arm via a cannula lock when the cannula is properly positioned to be aligned along the trajectory; and passing the pedicle screw through the cannula so that the pedicle screw may be implanted into the pedicle of the patient.