Patent ID: 8323292

Claim:
A method of preparing a vertebral body space to receive an implant, comprising: providing an adjustable pin drill guide including: a first member having a first opening and a first extension, and a second member having a second opening and a second extension; removing at least some of the tissue between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body; inserting the first extension and the second extension of the adjustable pin drill guide in a first position between the first and second vertebral bodies; moving the first extension and the second extension from a first position to a second position, the first and second extensions being in parallel planes with one another in at least the first and second positions; drilling a first hole into the first vertebral body; drilling a second hole into the second vertebral body; placing a first pin in the first hole; and placing a second pin in the second hole, wherein in the second position the first and second extensions contact the first and second vertebral bodies.