Patent ID: 7744606

Claim:
An article of manufacture comprising: an instrument guide formed by a plurality of separate and identical guide layers defining a longitudinal guide passage for guiding a surgical instrument to access an anatomic target site, the plurality of guide layers including at least: a first guide layer including a substantially untapered and non-threaded first instrument passage; a second guide layer identical to the first guide layer, the second guide layer including a substantially untapered and non-threaded second instrument passage, wherein the second instrument passage is aligned with the first instrument passage, and wherein the second guide layer is removably stacked atop the first guide layer and in contact with the first guide layer, wherein each of the first and second instrument passages defines a central channel and a plurality of channels surrounding the central channel, the central passage and each of the surrounding channels of the first and second guide layers aligned for providing uninterrupted access to the anatomic target site; and an elongated guide coupler having first and second open ends, the guide coupler having an inner surface defining a guide layer lumen through the first and second ends, the guide layer lumen sized and shaped to stackably receive the first and second guide layers.