Method and system for securing a rod to a bone anchor with a connector

A rod anchor system for use in minimally invasive rod first spinal fixation, the rod anchor system comprising:

• a bone anchor;
• a connector for connecting a rod to the bone anchor at an implant site, the connector having a channel allowing the connector to slide over the bone anchor for insertion to the implant site, wherein the connector can transition from a first orientation for insertion on the bone anchor to a second orientation at the implant site for connecting a rod to the bone anchor;
• and
• a guide system for inserting the bone anchor and connector, the guide comprising:
• a guide portion adapted to be positioned outside a patient's body and to extend along a patient's spinal column;
• a rod-engaging member mated to the guide portion and adapted to couple to the rod and to maintain the rod in a fixed position within the patient's body extending adjacent to a patient's spinal column;
• and
• a plurality of targeting members slidably coupled to the guide portion, each targeting member being adapted to target an implant site on a vertebra in the patient's spinal column.