Rod inserter and methods of use

A rod inserter tool for use with a hollow screw extender housing configured to be coupled to a screw assembly implanted into vertebrae, the tool comprising:

• a handle coupled to a curved shaft at a proximal end of the curved shaft;
• the shaft includes a static shaft portion configured to be permanently coupled to the handle;
• a sliding shaft portion configured to be slidably coupled inside the handle and further configured to slide along the static shaft portion;
• a rod holding mechanism formed by the static shaft portion and a sliding shaft portion and configured to be disposed at a distal end of the curved shaft;
• wherein by translating the sliding shaft portion along the static shaft portion toward the distal end of the shaft, the rod holding mechanism is configured to secure a rod.

An instrument for inserting a spinal rod into a surgical area, comprising:

• a static first shaft including a first proximal portion with a handle, a first curved mid-portion, and a first distal portion with a rod-receiving groove configured to receive an end of the spinal rod;
• a sliding second shaft including a second proximal portion coupled with a rotary mechanism, a second curved mid-portion, and a second distal portion;
• and
• a control mechanism on the handle that actuates the rotary mechanism to translate the second shaft relative to the first shaft and engage the second distal portion with the spinal rod.

A method for linking spinal implants, comprising:

• providing an instrument including
• a static first shaft including a first proximal portion with a handle, a first curved mid-portion, and a first distal portion with a rod-receiving groove configured to receive the grasping end of a spinal rod;
• a sliding second shaft including a second proximal portion coupled with a rotary mechanism, a second curved mid-portion, and a second distal portion;
• and
• a control mechanism on the handle that actuates the rotary mechanism to translate the second shaft relative to the first shaft and engage the second distal portion with the spinal rod;
• inserting the grasping end of the spinal rod into the first distal portion;
• rotating the control mechanism to advancing the sliding second shaft distally to engage the second distal portion with the grasping end of the spinal rod;
• inserting the spinal rod into the spinal implants;
• and
• securing the spinal rod to the spinal implants.