Patent ID: 6159214
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
An apparatus used in spinal surgery for creating a space of selected shape and dimensions across the disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine, each of the adjacent vertebral bodies having an endplate adjacent to the disc space, said apparatus comprising:a milling block configured at least in part for placement across the disc space and against the outer surface of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said milling block having a front face for placement against the vertebral bodies and an opposite rear face, said milling block having a width and an access aperture configured for providing access for the width of the space to be prepared to at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies from said rear face and through said front face of said milling block; anda bone removal device for removing at least a portion of bone from at least one of the endplates adjacent the disc space, said bone removal device having a longitudinal axis and being configured to access at least one of the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies through said access aperture, said access aperture of said milling block being adapted to permit motion by said bone removal device transverse to the longitudinal axis of said bone removal device over at least a portion of the width of said milling block through said access aperture, said bone removal device operating in cooperation with and at least in part through said milling block.