Patent ID: 8747412

Claim:
A system for removal of an anchor from an implant, the system comprising: an anchor; an implant, wherein the implant has a channel, wherein the anchor is at least partially contained within the channel and capable of protruding from the implant to secure the implant to a bone when fully seated within the channel; a removal guide, wherein the removal guide comprises a first surface having a groove, wherein the removal guide is positionable such that the groove is coaxially aligned with the channel, wherein when the groove is coaxially aligned with the channel, the groove and the channel define a removal axis; and an instrument, the instrument comprising a body, wherein the body comprises a central axis and a working end, wherein the working end comprises a grasping feature and an engagement feature, the grasping feature adapted to engage a support of the anchor, wherein the grasping feature is adapted to be off-alignment with the removal axis when the groove and the channel define the removal axis, and wherein the engagement feature is adapted to engage the groove and wherein the groove is shaped to receive at least a portion of the engagement feature such that a force may be applied by the instrument to the anchor to remove the anchor from the implant along the removal axis.