Spinal implant system and method

Abstract

A method comprises the steps of: fixing a distal end of a first member of a surgical instrument with tissue, the surgical instrument including a second member having a longitudinal passageway configured for disposal of the first member and being connected with a navigation component such that the distal end is disposable with the passageway at a selected distance from the navigation component, the navigation component being positioned relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of an orientation of the first member; removing the second member from the first member; and connecting a third member with the first member along the orientation such that a distal end of the third member is fixed with the tissue. Systems, spinal implants, constructs and instruments are disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for treating a spine, the method comprising the steps of:
 connecting an end effector to a first member;   connecting a second member to the first member; and   positioning a third member through the first member and the second member to adjust a depth of the third member relative to tissue and the end effector.   
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising connecting the end effector with a robot arm. 
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the robot arm includes position sensors which measure and identify positional data points of the end effector in three-dimensional space for a guide-wireless insertion of the members with tissue. 
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein connecting the end effector to the first member comprises inserting the first member through a channel of the end effector. 
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein connecting the end effector to the first member comprises releasably engaging a lock of the end effector with the first member. 
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the lock includes a spring button. 
     
     
         27 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the end effector comprises opposite proximal and distal end surfaces, the distal end of the second member extending through the distal end surface, the second member comprising an opposite proximal end that directly engages the proximal end surface. 
     
     
         28 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising connecting a navigation component with the third member such that the navigation component is positioned relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of an orientation of the third member. 
     
     
         29 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the distal end of the second member comprises a plurality of teeth extending radially about the distal end of the second member. 
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the third member extends through the end effector when the third member is positioned through the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         31 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the third member extends through opposite proximal and distal end surfaces of the end effector when the third member is positioned through the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         32 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the distal end of the second member extends through a distal end surface of the first member. 
     
     
         33 . A method as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the distal end of the third member extends through the distal end of the second member. 
     
     
         34 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the distal end of the third member includes a pointed tip configured to penetrate tissue. 
     
     
         35 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising removing the third member from the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         36 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first member includes a cannulated dilator. 
     
     
         37 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the second member includes a part configured to adjust the depth of the third member relative to tissue and the end effector. 
     
     
         38 . A method as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the part is translatable to adjust the depth of the third member. 
     
     
         39 . A method for treating a spine, the method comprising the steps of:
 connecting an end effector to a dilator;   connecting a drill guide to the dilator; and   positioning an anchor through the dilator and the drill guide to adjust a depth of the anchor relative to tissue and the end effector.   
     
     
         40 . A method for treating a spine, the method comprising the steps of:
 connecting an end effector to a first member;   connecting a second member to the first member;   positioning a third member through the first member and the second member to adjust a depth of the third member relative to tissue and the end effector;   connecting a navigation component with the third member such that the navigation component is positioned relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of an orientation of the third member; and connecting the end effector with a robot arm,   wherein the robot arm includes position sensors which measure and identify positional data points of the end effector in three-dimensional space for a guide-wireless insertion of the members with tissue.