Patent ID: 7153304

Claim:
An instrument system for preparing a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive a repair device, the instrument system comprising: at least one distractor including: a tapered body section for distracting the vertebral bodies in a manner that restores natural lordosis of the lumbar and cervical spines, the tapered body section formed by: an end wall; a first pair of opposing wall portions converging toward the end wall; and a second pair of opposing wall portions converging toward the end wall; and a connector section opposite the body section, the connector section for coupling a handle to the distractor, the connector section including a detent element; amd a base portion connecting the tapered body section to the connector section; wherein said tapered body section has a length that is substantially greater than a length of said base portion such that when said distractor is inserted between the adjacent verebral bodies the first pair of opposing wall portions engage the adjacent vertebral bodies to obtain said natural lordosis.