Patent ID: 8066705

Claim:
An instrument kit for use in performing surgery on a spinal segment including a disc space and two vertebral bodies adjacent the disc space, said kit comprising: a guard having a passage therethrough for providing protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebral bodies, said guard having at least one projection extending distally from a distal end of said guard, said distal end adapted to contact each of the vertebral bodies adjacent the disc space to be fused, said at least one projection adapted to penetrate the disc space so as to be located at least in part between the perimeters of the vertebral bodies where adjacent to the disc space, said at least one projection having opposed portions adapted to contact at least a portion of each of the adjacent vertebral bodies, respectively, from within the disc space; a spinal implant adapted to be inserted through said passage of said guard and at least in part into the disc space, said implant having opposed surfaces each adapted to contact one each of the adjacent vertebral bodies, each of said opposed surfaces having at least one opening to permit for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant; and an endoscope for visualizing the position of at least a portion of at least one of said guard and said implant relative to the vertebral bodies.