Patent ID: 7247169
Filing Date: 2007-07-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A spinal gauge block and tool assembly for determining the distance between two adjacent walls on two adjacent vertebrae for the implant of a disc, comprising: a spinal gauge block having a tapered configuration formed by a top surface and a bottom surface for respectively contacting the two adjacent walls and with said top surface and said bottom surface respectively extending along two planes which are spaced apart and angled with respect to each other to thereby be non-parallel planes, said gauge block having a side surface intermediate said top and bottom surfaces with a first dimension and a second dimension respectively directly between said top and bottom surfaces and with said first dimension being greater than said second dimension and with said dimensions being located in diametrically opposed positions on said gauge block and thereby be located in conformance with the tapered configuration, indicia on said gauge block marking the location of said greater dimension, wherein said indicia is a line extending between the locations of said first dimension and said second dimension, said side surface having two holes extending therethrough and into said gauge block and with said holes having respective central axes with one of said axes aligned with said indicia and the other of said axes being axially angulated relative to said indicia, and a tool having an elongated axis and connectable to said gauge block through a selected one of said holes to thereby provide for two different angulated approaches to the two adjacent vertebrae and relative to said tool elongated axis.