Instruments and methods for bone anchor engagement and spinal rod reduction

1. An instrument for engaging an implant comprising:

a first implant engaging member having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second implant engaging member having a proximal end and a distal end, the second implant engaging member integrally connected to the first implant engaging member by a pair of opposed integral spring members located proximal to the distal ends of the first and second implant engaging members, the first implant engaging member and the second implant engaging member being spaced apart a distance to define an opening therebetween, manipulation of the proximal ends of the first and second implant engaging member causing each of the distal ends to rotate about the pair of opposed spring members to engage at least a portion of an implant; and

a stabilizing instrument positionable between the first implant engaging member and the second implant engaging member to inhibit the proximal end of the first implant engaging member and the proximal end of the second implant engaging member from moving towards one another the stabilizing instrument being generally arcuate in shape and including a pair of opposed spacers each sized to fit between the proximal end of the first implant engaging member and the proximal end of the second implant engaging member when the instrument engages the implant.

2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the opening is sized and shaped to facilitate the delivery of at least one of an implant or a second instrument therebetween.

3. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first implant engaging member and the second implant engaging member includes an adjustment mechanism to facilitate the connection and adjustment of a second instrument relative to the instrument.

4. The instrument of claim 3 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises threads formed on an inner surface of at least one of first implant engaging member and the second implant engaging member for engaging mating threads formed on a second instrument.

5. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein each of the spring members comprising the pair of opposed integral spring members is an arcuate member spanning from the first implant engaging member to the second implant engaging member.

6. The instrument of claim 5 , further comprising a pair of opposed pivot members, each pivot member positioned adjacent a respective one of the spring members to provide a contact surface about which the distal ends of the first implant engaging member and the second implant engaging member can rotate.

7. The instrument of claim 5 , wherein the pair of opposed integral spring members biases the distal ends to a closed position in which the distal ends of the first implant engaging member and the second implant engaging member are proximate one another.

8. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a retaining collar positioned about the first implant engaging member and the second engaging member to inhibit separation of the proximal end of first implant engaging member and the proximal end of the second implant engaging member from one another.

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

a bone anchor engaging tool comprising

a first jaw member having a proximal end and a distal end, and

a second jaw member having a proximal end and a distal end, the second jaw member integrally connected to the first jaw member by a pair of opposed integral spring members located proximal to 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 integral spring members to engage at least a portion of a bone anchor; and

a rod adjusting tool connectable to the bone anchor engaging tool and having a proximal end and a distal end, the rod adjusting tool being axially adjustable relative to the bone anchor engaging tool to adjust a spinal rod relative to the bone anchor, the rod adjusting tool comprising a distal component having a rod engaging surface and a proximal component connectable to and separable from the distal component, rotation of the proximal component causing the distal component to advance axially relative to the bone anchor engaging tool, the distal component being generally tubular in shape and including an external thread formed thereon, the proximal component being generally tubular in shape and including an internal thread for engaging the external thread of the distal component and an external thread for engaging a thread formed on the bone anchor engaging tool.

10. The instrument of claim 9 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism to facilitate the adjustment of at least a portion of the rod adjusting tool relative to the bone anchor engaging tool.

11. The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises threads formed on an inner surface of at least one of first jaw member and the second jaw member for engaging mating threads formed on the rod adjusting tool.

12. The instrument of claim 11 , wherein the distal component includes at least one projection for engaging the bone engaging tool to inhibit rotation of the distal component relative to the bone anchor engaging tool during advancement of the distal component.

13. The instrument of claim 9 , wherein the external thread of the proximal component is a right hand thread and the internal thread of the proximal component is a left hand thread.