Patent ID: 7811289

Claim:
An apparatus for at least one of distracting an intervertebral space and determining a size of an artificial intervertebral disc to be implanted in the intervertebral space, the apparatus comprising: a shaft; at least two distal extensions coupled to the shaft, the distal extensions each having a proximal portion, an intermediate portion and a distal portion, the proximal portions and the distal portions of the extensions having a substantially fixed separation from each other and the intermediate portions of the distal extensions capable of moving toward and separating from one another; a bifurcated trial having a first trial half of the bifurcated trial coupled by a first pin to a first of the extensions such that the first trial half can pivot with respect to the first of the extensions and having a second trial half of the bifurcated trial fixed to a second of the extensions such that the second trial half cannot pivot with respect to the second of the extensions; and a second pin located between the extensions; wherein at least one external trial shape of the bifurcated trial approximates at least one external disc shape of a corresponding portion of the artificial intervertebral disc; wherein movement of the second pin in a distal direction increases the separation between the intermediate portions of the extensions; wherein movement of the second pin in a proximal direction decreases the separation between the intermediate portions of the extensions; and wherein varying the separation between the intermediate portions of the extensions varies a separation between the trial halves, wherein the first trial halves pivots to place the trial halves in lordosis.