APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A SITE FOR AN INTERBODY FUSION IMPLANT

摘要

An instrument set (20) and method for preparing a site between adjacent bones for insertion of an implant includes an alignment probe (22) with a head end (24) and a cutter (34) which fits over the alignment probe (22). The alignment probe (22) can be appropriately positioned using imaging techniques and then given a quarter turn in order to anchor the head end (24) in the bones at the appropriate depth with the appropriate alignment. The cutter (34) is then inserted over the alignment probe (22) in order to sever bone and tissue. After this is accomplished, the head end (24) is given another quarter turn freeing itself from the bone, and then the alignment probe (22) and the cutter (34) are removed with the tissue and bone captured therebetween.