Methods and devices for minimally invasive spinal fixation element placement

A minimally invasive method for delivering a spinal fixation rod to one or more spinal screw sites comprising:

• percutaneously delivering a first spinal screw though a first incision, the first spinal screw having a first percutaneous access device mated thereto, the first percutaneous access device including a lumen extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis;
• advancing a second spinal screw through a second incision that is separate and distinct from the first incision, the second spinal screw having a second percutaneous access device mated thereto, the second percutaneous access device including a lumen extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis;
• passing a spinal fixation rod through opposed sidewall openings in the first percutaneous access device;
• and
• manipulating the spinal fixation rod to position the spinal fixation rod to extend between the first and second spinal screws.

A minimally invasive method for delivering a spinal fixation element to one or more spinal screw sites, comprising:

• forming first and second separate and distinct minimally invasive percutaneous skin incisions;
• delivering a first spinal screw with a first percutaneous access device mated thereto through the first skin incision to a first vertebra such that the first percutaneous access device mated to the first spinal screw extends from the first spinal screw up through the first skin incision;
• delivering a spinal screw with a second percutaneous access device mated thereto through the second skin incision to a second vertebra such that the second percutaneous access device mated to the second spinal screw extends from the second spinal screw up through the second skin incision;
• passing a leading end of a spinal fixation element through opposed sidewall openings formed in one of the first and second percutaneous access devices to position the leading end subcutaneously and to position the spinal fixation element to extend between the first and second spinal screws.

A minimally invasive method for delivering a spinal fixation rod to one or more spinal screw sites, comprising:

• forming first, second, and third separate and distinct skin incisions above first, second, and third adjacent vertebrae;
• delivering a first spinal screw with a first percutaneous access device mated thereto through the first skin incision to implant the first spinal screw in the first vertebra;
• delivering a second spinal screw with a second percutaneous access device mated thereto through the second skin incision to implant the second spinal screw in the second vertebra;
• delivering a third spinal screw with a third percutaneous access device mated thereto through the third skin incision to implant the third spinal screw in the third vertebra;
• and
• positioning a spinal fixation rod to pass a leading end of the spinal fixation rod through a slot in a sidewall of the second percutaneous access device and to position the leading end in relation to the third spinal screw such that the spinal fixation rod extends between the first, second, and third spinal screws.