Patent ID: 6096044
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A template assembly to facilitate the placement of an implant or instrument at a portion of the spine, such as the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising:a tubular body sized for introduction into a patient for advancement to the portion of the spine, said tubular body having a longitudinal axis, and a proximal end disposed outside the patient and a distal end disposed adjacent the portion of the spine when said body is within the patient;a spike extending from said distal end of said tubular body along said longitudinal axis of said tubular body, said spike has a tip and is configured for piercing into a disc annulus of said spine, said distal end of said tubular body sized larger than said spike thereby forming a stop to limit the advancement of said template assembly into said disc annulus;an elongated guide foot with a first end and second end, said guide foot having a rotatable cam adjacent said tubular body at said first end, whereby said guide foot is pivotable between a first position in which said second end is adjacent said spike for introduction into the patient, and a variable second position in which said second end is at a known distance from said spike; anddeployment means extending through said tubular body and operating on said guide foot for causing said guide foot to pivot between said first position and said variable second position.