Abstract: An instrument and method for locating and attaching a spinal coupler to an implanted spinal rod including body and lever handles that attach about the spinal rod. A cam handle is connected to the body handle to actuate a plunger that applies a compression force to the spinal coupler to attach it to the spinal rod by an interference fit. The body and lever handles each include a forked jaw having legs that attach to the spinal rod on each side of the spinal coupler. In one embodiment, the plunger includes a control knob to vary the instrument actuating force and prevent over extension of the plunger.

Abstract: The invention provides a temporary clamp for connection to the midline clamp which holds the midline clamp in engagement about the lamina and is small enough to be substantially out of the way of the surgeon in use. The temporary clamp is removably connected to the midline clamp by a pair of screws. The temporary clamp is releasably connected to a clamp inserter such that after the midline clamp and temporary clamp is connected to the vertebra, the clamp inserted may be removed and used to connect subsequent temporary clamps. Therefore, since the clamp inserter may be removed from the surgical site without releasing the midline clamp, the surgeon may connect a plurality of the midline clamps with temporary clamps attached without significantly obstructing the surgical site.

Abstract: An instrument for bending a rod, wherein the instrument includes an elongated handle and an angled tip extending therefrom. The tip includes a channel or bore therethrough for receiving the rod. The top side of the tip may include a flat surface thereon. Two such instruments are used to bend a rod by inserting one end of the rod into the channel of one instrument and the other end of the rod into the channel of the other instrument. Force is applied to the instruments to preliminarily bend the rod. The instruments are each then rotated 180 degrees, and further force is then applied to the instruments to further bend the rod. The force may be applied until the flat surface on each instrument abuts each other.

Abstract: A sagittal approximator for clamping engagement with an open back hook for urging a spinal rod into seating engagement with said hook. The sagittal approximator includes an integral fixed handle and jaw. A shiftable handle is pivotally connected to the fixed handle. A shiftable jaw is pivotally connected to the fixed handle adjacent the fixed jaw. The pivotal handle and jaw are pivotally interconnected such that as the pivotal handle is shifted, the pivotal jaw shifts accordingly. The fixed handle includes a threaded channel and longitudinal guide rib. A spinal rod engagement head is slidably carried by the fixed handle and jaw and includes a spinal rod seat which with contact with the spinal rod produces a balanced seating load on the rod. A threaded pusher rod is carried by the channel which when rotated longitudinally shifts the head relative to the fixed handle.