METHOD AND INSTRUMENT FOR DISTRACTING INTERVERTEBRAL SPACE

摘要

A surgical instrument (5) for use in distraction of vertebral discs is provided that has a handle end (10) and a tip end (15), and a pair of elongated members (20, 25) each having grips at the handle end (10) and jaws (40, 45) at the tip end (15). The members (20, 25) are pivotally connected together. The instrument (5) has a biasing mechanism (100) that serves to urge the jaws (40, 45) toward each other and also includes a ratcheting mechanism (105) that allows the jaws (40, 45) to be held apart at predetermined distances. Preferably, the handle end (10) of the instrument (5) is offset from the tip end (15) and the jaws (40, 45) may be offset from the tip end (15).