Rod removal instrument

1 . A rod removal instrument for removing a rod from a spinal anchor member implanted in a patient's spine; the rod removal instrument comprising:

an outer shaft having a distal end configured to at least partially encompass or cover the spine anchor member; the outer shaft including a hook portion formed at the distal end configured to hook the rod for removal of the rod from the spinal anchor member.

2 . The rod removal instrument of claim 1 wherein the hook portion forms a rod entryway and a rod receiving portion; both the rod entryway and rod receiving portion are interconnected and sized to receive the rod.

3 . The rod removal instrument of claim 1 further including an inner shaft connected to the outer shaft; the inner shaft being located inside the outer shaft and configured to be longitudinally movably with respect to the outer shaft.

4 . The rod removal instrument of claim 3 wherein the inner shaft includes a notch formed at the distal end; the inner shaft being connected to the outer shaft such that the notch is displaced a distance from the rod entryway of the outer shaft; the notch being configured to conform to and to partially encompass or cover a rod.

5 . The rod removal instrument of claim 3 wherein the distal end of the inner shaft is configured to retain the rod to the instrument when the inner shaft is moved distally to contact the rod.

6 . The rod removal instrument of claim 3 wherein the inner shaft is configured to dislodge the rod from the spinal anchor member when the inner shaft is moved distally to contact the rod.

7 . A rod removal instrument for removing a rod connected to an anchor member implanted in a patient's spine; the rod removal instrument comprising:

an elongated member having a distal end configured to percutaneously disconnect a rod from an anchor member to which the rod is connected and hold the rod for removal of the rod from the patient.

8 . The rod removal instrument of claim 7 wherein the elongated member is an outer shaft.

9 . The rod removal instrument of claim 8 further including an inner shaft located within the outer shaft and configured for relative sliding motion with respect to the outer shaft.

10 . The rod removal instrument of claim 9 wherein the inner shaft is configured to hold the rod against the outer shaft when the inner shaft is moved against the rod.

11 . The rod removal instrument of claim 9 wherein relative sliding motion of the inner and outer shafts acts to dislodge a rod from the bone anchor.

12 . The rod removal instrument of claim 7 wherein the distal end is configured to be placed over or cover at least a portion of the anchor member.

13 . The rod removal instrument of claim 7 wherein the rod removal instrument is configured for insertion into a patient and removal of a rod from a patient through an opening in a patient that is as large as or slightly larger than the outer perimeter of the distal end.

14 . The rod removal instrument of claim 7 wherein the distal end defines a rod entryway interconnected with a rod receiving portion and configured such that the rod is insertable into the rod receiving portion through the rod entryway for removal of the rod from the anchor member.

15 . The rod removal instrument of claim 14 wherein the rod removal instrument is configured such that a rod is insertable into the rod receiving portion after passing a portion of the rod through the rod entryway and turning the distal end relative to the rod to insert the rod into the rod receiving portion.

16 . A method for removing a rod from a spinal anchor member having a seat implanted in a patient's spine; the method comprising the steps of:

providing a rod removal instrument comprising an outer shaft; the outer shaft having a rod receiving portion at the distal end;

placing the distal end of the rod removal instrument in juxtaposition with the rod to be removed;

hooking the rod into the rod receiving portion;

capturing the rod inside with the rod removal instrument; and

removing the rod from the anchor member.

17 . The method of claim 16 further including the steps of:

creating an opening in a patient that is as large as or slightly larger than the outer shaft;

inserting the distal end of the rod removal instrument into the opening; and

removing the rod and rod removal instrument from the opening.

18 . The method of claim 16 further including the steps of:

providing a rod removal instrument comprising an inner shaft located within the outer shaft;

moving the inner shaft with respect to the outer shaft such that the rod is captured between the inner shaft and the outer shaft; and

holding the inner shaft against rod.

19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the step of moving the inner shaft with respect to the outer shaft includes disengaging any connecting constructs of the rod from the anchor member.

20 . The method of claim 16 wherein the step of hooking the rod receiving portion includes turning the outer shaft relative to the rod.