Patent ID: 8721691

Claim:
A method of performing spinal stabilization through a skin incision, the method comprising: inserting a first screw having a first guiding element detachably connected thereto through the incision and into a first vertebra, wherein the first guiding element comprises a partial tube extending to a level of the skin incision when the first screw is implanted in the first vertebra; inserting a second screw having a second guiding element detachably connected thereto through the incision and into a second vertebra, wherein the second guiding element comprises a partial tube extending to a level of the skin incision when the second screw is implanted in the second vertebra; wherein the partial tube of the first guiding element with the partial tube of the second guiding element meet at the level of the skin incision to provide an entry portal for a spinal implant, the entry portal defined by the partial tube of the first guiding element and the partial tube of the second guiding element; guiding the spinal implant through the entry portal using the first and second guiding elements to connect the spinal implant to the first and second screws.