Extender collar system

Abstract

A collar for extenders and an extender assembly including a collar is disclosed. The collar is configured to receive extenders and maintain the extenders in a parallel orientation so as to prevent splaying and premature beak-off of the extenders from the spine. Methods of use are disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A collar configured for connection to a proximal end of an extender comprising:
 a body extending between opposite proximal and distal end surfaces, the body defining a first cavity, a second cavity and an intermediate cavity disposed therebetween, the cavities each extending through each of the end surfaces, wherein the first and second cavities are configured to receive the proximal end of the extender and the intermediate cavity is configured for disposal of a surgical instrument; and   a stop member positioned in at least one of the first and second cavities such that the stop member forms a portion of the proximal end surface, the stop member being configured to block at least a portion of a respective one of the first and second cavities to prevent the extender from protruding past the proximal end of at least one of the first and second cavities.   
     
     
         22 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the first cavity is separated from the intermediate cavity by a first wall that extends from the proximal end surface to the distal end surface and the second cavity is separated from the intermediate cavity by a second wall that extends from the proximal end surface to the distal end surface. 
     
     
         23 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the first cavity spaced apart from the intermediate cavity by a first wall such that the first cavity is not in communication with the intermediate cavity and the second cavity is spaced apart from the intermediate cavity by a second wall such that the second cavity is not in communication with the intermediate cavity. 
     
     
         24 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the first cavity is completely spaced apart from the intermediate cavity by a first wall and the second cavity is completely spaced apart from the intermediate cavity by a second wall. 
     
     
         25 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the first and second cavities are each in communication with the intermediate cavity. 
     
     
         26 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the proximal end surface is configured to mate with at least a portion of a surgical instrument disposed in the intermediate cavity thereby aligning the surgical instrument with the intermediate cavity. 
     
     
         27 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the stop member is a protrusion configured to contact the proximal end of the extender. 
     
     
         28 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the stop member is a solid block configured to contact the proximal end of the extender. 
     
     
         29 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the proximal end surface is flat. 
     
     
         30 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the portion of the proximal end surface is a flat portion of the proximal end surface. 
     
     
         31 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein the stop member is coupled to an inner surface of the body that defines one of the first cavity and the second cavity. 
     
     
         32 . The collar of  claim 21  wherein:
 the body comprises an opening extending through an inner surface of the body that defines at least one of the cavities and an opposite outer surface of the body, the opening being in communication with one of the first and second cavities; and 
 the body comprises an actuator arm pivotally mounted to the outer surface such that the actuator arm moves between a first position in which the actuator arm is spaced apart from the opening a second position in which at least a portion of the actuator arm is disposed in the opening. 
 
     
     
         33 . The collar of  claim 32  wherein the actuator arm is biased to the first position. 
     
     
         34 . The collar of  claim 32  wherein the body extends along a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal end surfaces, the actuator arm being pivotable about a pivot point that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         35 . The collar of  claim 32  wherein the actuator arm has a thickness that is uniformly decreasing. 
     
     
         36 . The collar of  claim 32  wherein the actuator arm is flexible. 
     
     
         37 . The collar of  claim 32  wherein the body extends along a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal end surfaces, the opening extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         38 . A collar configured for connection to a proximal end of an extender comprising:
 a body extending between opposite proximal and distal end surfaces, the body defining a first cavity, a second cavity and an intermediate cavity disposed therebetween, the cavities each extending through each of the end surfaces, wherein the first and second cavities are configured to receive the proximal end of the extender and the intermediate cavity is configured for disposal of a surgical instrument; and   a stop member enclosed within one of the first and second cavities, the stop member being configured to block at least a portion of a respective one of the first and second cavities to prevent the extender from protruding past the proximal end of at least one of the first and second cavities.   
     
     
         39 . The collar of  claim 38  wherein:
 the body includes an inner surface that defines at least one of the cavities and an opposite outer surface; and 
 the stop member is coupled to the inner surface and does not extend through the outer surface. 
 
     
     
         40 . A collar configured for connection to a proximal end of an extender comprising:
 a body extending between opposite flat proximal and distal end surfaces, the body defining a first cavity, a second cavity and an intermediate cavity disposed therebetween, the cavities each extending through each of the end surfaces, wherein the first and second cavities are configured to receive the proximal end of the extender and the intermediate cavity is configured for disposal of a surgical instrument;   a stop member positioned in at least one of the first and second cavities such that the stop member forms a portion of the proximal end surface, the stop member being a solid block that is enclosed within one of the first and second cavities and configured to block at least a portion of a respective one of the first and second cavities to prevent the extender from protruding past the proximal end of at least one of the first and second cavities;   an opening extending through an inner surface of the body that defines at least one of the cavities and an opposite outer surface of the body, the opening being in communication with one of the first and second cavities; and   an actuator arm pivotally mounted to the outer surface such that the actuator arm moves between a first position in which the actuator arm is spaced apart from the opening a second position in which at least a portion of the actuator arm is disposed in the opening.