Patent ID: 7794465

Claim:
An intervertebral disc space preparation guide comprising: a spacer portion sized for placement in an intervertebral disc space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, the spacer portion including a first surface for engaging with a first endplate of the first vertebra and a second surface extending parallel to the first surface for engaging with a second endplate of the second vertebra, the first surface having a first pair of elongated recesses extending along a majority of its length and the second surface having a second pair of elongated recesses extending along a majority of its length such that the first and second pair of elongated recesses extend along the first endplate and second endplate, respectively, when the spacer portion is positioned within the intervertebral disc space between the first and second vertebrae; a guide portion attached to the spacer portion and configured for placement outside the intervertebral disc space, the guide portion including a first pair of projections with a first pair of bores extending therethrough, the first pair of bores substantially aligned with the first pair of recesses and including a second pair of projections with a second pair of bores extending therethrough, the second pair of bores substantially aligned with the second pair of recesses; and an elongated handle extending from the guide portion spaced from the first and second pairs of bores; wherein the first pair of bores and the first pair of recesses are configured for receiving a bone removal device for creating a first pair of channels in the first vertebral endplate for receiving a first pair of projections of an intervertebral implant; and wherein the second pair of bores and second pair of recesses are configured for receiving the bone removal device for creating a second pair of channels in the second vertebral endplate for receiving a second pair of projections of the intervertebral implant.