Patent ID: 8133282

Claim:
A method for replacing an intervertebral disc in an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, the method comprising: positioning a guide tool to span the intervertebral space, the guide tool comprising a head portion, the head portion comprising: a first open end and a second open end; a first wall extending from the first open end to the second open end; a second wall parallel to and displaced from the first wall, the second wall extending from the first open end to the second open end; a first reference feature and a second reference feature; observing the first reference feature to determine the orientation of the head portion relative to a central midline axis of the first and second vertebral bodies; adjusting the head portion to a preliminary orientation parallel to the central midline axis; observing the second reference feature to determine the orientation of the head portion relative to a coronal plane of the first and second vertebral bodies; adjusting the head portion to a preferred orientation parallel to the central midline axis and perpendicular to the coronal plane; passing a first distal end of a first guide pin through the first and second open ends; implanting the first distal end of the first guide pin in the first vertebral body; passing a second distal end of a second guide pin through the first and second open ends; and implanting the second distal end of the second guide pin in the second vertebral body such that the second guide pin is co-planar with the first guide pin.