Instruments and methods for bone anchor engagement and spinal rod reduction

1. An instrument for adjusting a spinal rod relative to a bone anchor, the instrument comprising:

a bone anchor engaging tool including a first jaw member having a proximal end, a distal end, an arcuate section between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface, and a second jaw member having a proximal end, a distal end, an arcuate section between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface, the second jaw member being pivotally connected to the first jaw member about at least one pivot point located proximate the distal ends of the first and second jaw members, the arcuate section of the first jaw member and the arcuate section of the second jaw member connecting to define an annular collar therebetween, manipulation of the proximal ends of the first and second jaw member causing each of the distal ends to rotate about the at least one pivot point to engage at least a portion of a bone anchor;

a rod adjusting tool connectable to the bone anchor engaging tool and having a proximal end and a distal end, the rod adjustment tool positionable within the annular collar between the first and second jaw members, the rod adjusting tool being axially adjustable through the annular collar between the first and second jaw members relative to the bone anchor tool to adjust a spinal rod relative to the bone anchor; and

an adjustment mechanism to facilitate the connection and adjustment of the rod adjusting tool relative to the bone anchor engaging tool, the adjustment mechanism comprising a thread formed on the inner surface of the first jaw member and a thread formed on the inner surface of the second jaw member, the thread of the first jaw member and the thread of the second jaw member engaging a mating thread formed on the rod adjusting tool.

2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the distal ends of the first jaw member and the second jaw member are rotatable between an approximately closed position in which the distal ends are proximate one another and an open position in which the distal ends are displaced from one another.

3. The instrument of claim 2 , further comprising a biasing mechanism coupled to the first jaw member and the second jaw member to bias the distal ends to the closed position.

4. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rod adjustment tool is a cylindrical tube.

5. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rod adjustment tool includes a handle positioned at the proximal end thereof to facilitate adjustment of the rod adjustment tool.

6. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rod adjustment tool includes a rod engaging member positioned at the distal end of the rod adjustment tool, the rod engaging member being axially adjustable and inhibited from rotation relative to the rod adjustment tool.

7. The instrument of claim 6 , wherein the rod engaging member includes at least one axial extension having a rod engaging surface, the axial extension being sized to move within a rod receiving recess of the bone anchor.

8. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rod adjustment tool includes an inner lumen through which a closure mechanism may delivered to the bone anchor.

9. An instrument for adjusting a spinal rod relative to a bone anchor, the instrument comprising:

a bone anchor engaging tool including a first jaw member having a proximal end, a distal end, an arcuate section between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface, and a second jaw member having a proximal end, a distal end, an arcuate section between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface, the second jaw member being pivotally connected to the first jaw member about at least one pivot point located proximate the distal ends of the first and second jaw members, manipulation of the proximal ends of the first and second jaw members causing each of the distal ends to rotate about the at least one pivot point to engage at least a portion of a bone anchor, the arcuate section of the first jaw member and the arcuate section of the second jaw member connecting to define an annular collar therebetween;

a cylindrical tube connectable to the bone anchor engaging tool and having a proximal end and a distal end for engaging the rod; and

an adjustment mechanism to facilitate the adjustment of at least a portion of the cylindrical tube through the annular collar, the adjustment mechanism comprising a thread formed on the inner surface of the first jaw member and a thread formed on the inner surface of the second jaw member, the thread of the first jaw member and the thread of the second jaw member engaging a mating thread formed on the cylindrical tube.

10. An instrument for adjusting a spinal rod relative to a bone anchor, the instrument comprising:

a bone anchor engaging tool including a first jaw member having a proximal end, a distal end, an arcuate section between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface, and a second jaw member having a proximal end, a distal end, an arcuate section between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface, the second jaw member being pivotally connected to the first jaw member about a pair of pivot points aligned along a pivot axis located proximate the distal ends of the first and second jaw members, manipulation of the proximal ends of the first and second jaw members causing each of the distal ends to rotate about the pivot axis to engage at least a portion of a bone anchor, the arcuate section of the first jaw member and the arcuate section of the second jaw member connecting to define an annular collar intersected by the pivot axis; and

a cylindrical tube adjustable through the collar and having a proximal end and a distal end for engaging the rod, the tube having external threads for engaging internal threads formed on the interior surfaces of the first and second jaw members, whereby rotation of the proximal end of the tube advances the distal end of the tube relative to the distal ends of the first and second jaw members.