Patent ID: 6840941
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A vertebral endplate chisel comprising: a) a base having upper and lower portions, and proximal and distal portions, b) an upper shaving portion extending distally from the upper base portion, c) a lower shaving portion extending distally from the lower base portion, the upper and lower shaving portions being disposed substantially parallel to each other and each having a width, and d) a guide integrally connected to and extending distally from the base and having a width, the guide located between the shaving portions and having a width wherein the width of the guide is no more than 95% of the width of the upper shaving portion, wherein the guide is a non-cutting centering device adapted to center the chisel within the disc space so that equal amounts of bone are removed from each endplate by the shaving portions as the chisel moves through the disc space.