Spinal rod approximator

1. A tool for seating a spinal rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, the tool comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the body including a first and second flexible branch for gripping a spinal implant, the flexible branches being spaced-apart a distance to form a first recess, the first recess opening at an end of the distal end of the body and extending proximally from the end;

an inserter shaft slidably received within the body, the inserter shaft having a distal end adapted to hold a closure mechanism for the implant, the inserter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a transition zone located between the distal and proximal end, the transition zone having a diameter larger than the proximal end of the shaft;

a threaded collar, adapted to couple the body and the inserter shaft, wherein the inserter shaft forces a spinal rod into the rod-receiving portion of the implant; and

an outer sleeve mounted about the distal end of the body and movable between a first position and a second position in which the outer sleeve surrounds the branches to inhibit separation of the first and second flexible branches, the outer sleeve including a pair of spaced-apart arms at a distal end of the outer sleeve, the arms of the outer sleeve defining a second recess, the second recess aligning with the first recess of the distal end of the body when the outer sleeve is in the second position to accommodate a spinal rod within the first recess and the second recess.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the first recess is substantially U-shaped.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve is rotatably and slidably mounted about the distal end of the body.

4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the flexible branches are biased to a closed position.

5. A spinal instrument comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a first branch and a second branch for gripping a spinal implant, the branches being spaced-apart a distance to form a first recess, the first recess opening at an end of the distal end and extending proximally from the end;

an inserter shaft slidably received within the body, the inserter shaft having a distal end adapted to hold a closure mechanism for the implant, the inserter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a transition zone located between the distal and proximal end, the transition zone having a diameter larger than the proximal end; and

an outer sleeve mounted about the distal end of the body and movable between a first position and a second position in which the outer sleeve surrounds the branches to inhibit separation of the first and second branches, the outer sleeve including a pair of spaced-apart arms at a distal end of the outer sleeve, the arms of the outer sleeve defining a second recess, the second recess aligning with the first recess of the distal end of the body when the outer sleeve is in the second position to accommodate a spinal rod within the first recess and the second recess.

6. The spinal instrument of claim 5 , wherein the first branch includes a free distal end and a proximal end flexibly connected to the body and the second branch includes a free distal end and a proximal end flexibly connected to the body.

7. The spinal instrument of claim 6 , wherein the first and second branches are biased to a position in which the first branch is parallel to the second branch.

8. The spinal instrument of claim 5 , wherein the first recess is substantially U-shaped.

9. The spinal instrument of claim 8 , wherein the second recess is substantially U-shaped.