Patent ID: 7862569
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A guide for use in a procedure to introduce a surgical instrument having an insertion axis and a distal tip along a desired axis of a spinous process of a vertebra wherein the guide comprises: a first arm comprising a first guide surface adapted to engage the spinous process; a second arm comprising a second guide surface adapted to engage the spinous process; an apex engagement surface adapted to engage an apex of the spinous process; a handle operatively coupled to the first arm and the second arm; a guide bore adapted to allow passage of the surgical instrument; and wherein the handle is operative to change a distance between the first guide surface and the second guide surface and the guide bore is adapted to control the insertion axis of the instrument such that engagement of the spinous process by the apex engagement surface, the first guide surface and the second guide surface aligns the insertion axis of the instrument with the desired axis of the spinous process.