MEDICAL INSTALLATION TOOL

摘要

A tool for installing an object, such as an artificial disk prosthesis, between adjacent vertebrae includes a pair of opposed levers separated by a fulcrum. Blade tips are disposed at the distal end of the levers. A pusher block is disposed distally of the fulcrum, and upon actuation by forward movement of a pusher rod, the pusher block moves the artificial disk prosthesis distally. The blade tips may be inserte d between adjacent vertebral bodies as the disk moves forward thus causing the vertebr al bodies to be separated until the disk is disposed therebetween. In one embodiment, the length of the blade tips may be selectively adjusted.