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Apparatus for use in inserting spinal implants

  • US 6,770,074 B2
  • Filed: 11/17/2001
  • Issued: 08/03/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for use in human spinal surgery across at least a portion of the height of a surgically corrected disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, said apparatus comprising:

  • a guard having a passage for providing access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebral bodies, said passage having a maximum height as measured along the longitudinal axis of the human spine, said guard having a proximal end and an opposite distal end and at least one side therebetween, said guard having at least two openings in said side in communication with said passage, said openings being opposite one another; and

    at least one extension extending from said distal end of said guard adapted to be inserted into the disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies, said extension having a portion adapted to bear against each of the adjacent endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies from within the disc space, said portion of said extension having an upper surface adapted to contact one of the adjacent endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies and a lower surface adapted to contact the other of the adjacent endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said portion of said extension having a height between said upper and lower surfaces and a length sufficient to align and distance apart the adjacent vertebral bodies.

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