Patent ID: 7575579

Claim:
A guide for guiding the insertion of a fixation device, comprising: a) a first element defining a first semi-cylindrical groove with a semicircular cross-section; b) a second element defining a second semi-cylindrical groove with a semicircular cross-section coupled relative to said first element and movable relative thereto between an open position in which a space is defined between said first and second grooves for receiving the fixation device, and a closed position in which said first and second semi-cylindrical grooves define a tubular guide parallel with the grooves for the fixation device; c) a first tissue protector portion extending from said first element; d) a second tissue protector portion extending from said second element, wherein said first and second tissue protector portions together form a tubular cylinder longitudinally extending coaxial with and on one side of said tubular guide; and e) first and second arm portions, said first and second elements coupled to said first and second arm portions, and said first and second arm portions rotatable about a hinge, each of said arm portions having a handle which facilitates moving said first and second arm portions between open and closed positions, each said handle having a distal portion coupled to said respective first and second arm portions and an opposite proximal portion, wherein when said proximal portions of said handles are moved toward each other, said first and second elements are moved toward said closed position and the first and second tissue protector portions are moved together into said tubular cylinder, and said first and second arm portions defining at least one circular gauge wire hole substantially smaller in diameter than said tubular guide, said at least one gauge wire hole extending parallel to said tubular guide.