Methods and apparatuses for delivering a rod to a plurality of pedicle screws

A system for making a spinal construct, comprising:

• a plurality of spinal screws, wherein each spinal screw includes having a receiving portion;
• a rod sized and shaped to be inserted into the receiving portions of the spinal screws;
• a plurality of extension sleeves comprising an elongate member configured to extend out of a patient from a corresponding spinal screw when the spinal screws are placed within the patient;
• a pulling cable that is detachably connectable to the rod;
• a penetrating member integral with or connected the pulling cable;
• and
• a delivery tube comprising a body having a delivery lumen with a proximal receiving portion and a curved distal delivery portion, the proximal receiving portion configured to receive the penetrating member and the curved distal delivery portion configured to direct the advance of the penetrating member;
• and
• a penetrating member removal sleeve configured to redirect the penetrating member out of the patient's body;
• wherein the cable and rod are directed along a path through the receiving portions of the spinal screws when the spinal screws are placed within the patient and contact the penetrating member removal sleeve out of the patient's body, the cable being configured to pull the rod into a desired location within the receiving portions.

A method of delivering a rod to a plurality of spinal screws, comprising:

• inserting a penetrating member through a delivery tube comprising a body having a delivery lumen with a proximal receiving portion and a curved distal delivery portion configured to direct the penetrating member toward receiving portion of a first pedicle screw of a plurality spinal screws. implanted into a plurality of adjacent vertebrae.
• advancing the penetrating member through receiving portions of each of the plurality spinal screws;
• contacting a penetrating member penetrating member removal sleeve proximate a second pedicle screw to redirect the penetrating member out of the patient's body;
• pulling the penetrating member to advance a cable and a rod through the receiving portions of each of the screws into a desired location within the receiving portions, wherein the rod is detachably connected to a first end of the cable and the penetrating member is coupled with a second end of the cable.