Patent ID: 7597695

Claim:
A kit for preparing an implant site for receiving an implant between adjacent first and second vertebrae, the kit comprising: an instrument guide, said instrument guide comprising: (i) a tube having a longitudinal axis passing through a lumen of said tube, said lumen at least partially surrounded by a wall, said wall having a proximal end and a distal end; (ii) said distal end of said wall having a distal edge, said distal edge having an angle of about 10° to about 45° relative to a reference line perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and adapted to rest against, and in substantial contact with, a posterior surface of a human vertebra; (iii) at least one paddle extending from said distal edge of said wall; and (iv) an adjustable stop operatively connected to the tube to affirmatively stop instruments passed through said instrument guide; wherein said adjustable stop includes a threaded portion threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the tube of the instrument guide; a distracting plug; and an external vertebral stabilization device.