Patent ID: 7632274

Claim:
A thin cutter blade for use in an intervertebral disc space, the cutter blade created at least in part from a shape memory material and having a shape memory of a shape that the cutter blade assumes when not constrained from doing so and the cutter blade comprising: a proximal arm with a first longitudinal portion with a first cutter blade connection for use in affixing the proximal arm to a cutter assembly, the proximal arm also having a blade arm portion with at least one cutting edge; a distal arm, distinct from the proximal arm with a second longitudinal portion with a second cutter blade connection for use in connecting the second longitudinal portion to the cutter assembly, the proximal arm also having a blade arm portion with at least one cutting edge; a layer of retaining film positioned between the distal arm and the proximal arm and affixed to both the distal arm and the proximal arm; and a connection between the blade arm portion of the proximal arm and the blade arm portion of the distal arm.