Patent ID: 6063088
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A system for drilling a bore in adjacent vertebrae to facilitate the insertion of a fusion implant, which comprises:a surgical retractor including a sleeve member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal opening, the distal end portion configured for insertion at least partially into an intervertebral space between adjacent opposed vertebrae to distract the adjacent vertebrae; anda drill instrument positionable within the longitudinal opening of the surgical retractor, the drill instrument including:an elongate member defining at least one distal cutting surface; anda drill member disposed within the elongate member and having a distal cutting head, the drill member being rotatably movable within the elongate member and being longitudinally fixed to the elongate member such that advancement of the drill member within the adjacent vertebrae causes corresponding advancement of the elongate member such that the distal cutting surface and the distal cutting head cooperate to cut a bore in the adjacent vertebrae.