Spinal Rod Approximator

A tool for seating a spinal rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, the tool comprising:

• a body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion including a first and second flexible branch for gripping a spinal implant, the flexible branches being spaced-apart a distance to form a first recess, the first recess opening at an end of the distal end portion and extending proximally from the end;
• an inserter shaft slidably received within the body, the inserter shaft having a distal end adapted to hold a closure mechanism for the implant;
• a threaded collar, adapted to couple the body and the inserter shaft, wherein the inserter shaft forces a spinal rod into the rod-receiving portion of the implant;
• and
• an outer sleeve mounted about the distal end portion of the body and movable between a first position and a second position in which the outer sleeve surrounds the branches to inhibit separation of the first and second flexible branches.

A tool for seating a spinal rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, the tool comprising:

• a body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion including a first and second flexible branch for gripping a spinal implant, the flexible branches being spaced-apart a distance to form a first recess, the first recess opening at an end of the distal end portion and extending proximally from the end;
• an inserter shaft slidably received within the body, the inserter shaft having a distal end adapted to hold a closure mechanism for the implant;
• a threaded collar, adapted to couple the body and the inserter shaft, wherein the inserter shaft forces a spinal rod into the rod-receiving portion of the implant;
• and
• an outer sleeve mounted about the distal end portion of the body and movable between a first position and a second position in which the outer sleeve surrounds the branches to inhibit separation of the first and second flexible branches, the outer sleeve including a pair of spaced-apart arms at a distal end of the outer sleeve, the arms of the outer sleeve defining a second recess, the second recess aligning with the first recess of the distal end portion of the body when the outer sleeve is in the second position to accommodate a spinal rod within the first recess and the second recess.

A spinal instrument comprising:

• a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a first branch and a second branch for gripping a spinal implant, the branches being spaced-apart a distance to form a first recess, the first recess opening at an end of the distal end and extending proximally from the end;
• an inserter shaft slidably received within the body, the inserter shaft having a distal end adapted to hold a closure mechanism for the implant;
• and
• an outer sleeve mounted about the distal end of the body and movable between a first position and a second position in which the outer sleeve surrounds the branches to inhibit separation of the first and second flexible branches, the outer sleeve including a pair of spaced-apart arms at a distal end of the outer sleeve, the arms of the outer sleeve defining a second recess, the second recess aligning with the first recess of the distal end portion of the body when the outer sleeve is in the second position to accommodate a spinal rod within the first recess and the second recess.