US Patent 7799036 Method and apparatus for securing vertebrae

A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601 or 1601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602 or 1602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).