Patent ID: 8486078

Claim:
A method for forming a channel in adjacent vertebra of a portion of a lower spine, said method comprising the steps of: providing a frame assembly including spacing elements at least one spacing element for each of the adjacent vertebra, where a length of each spacing element is set so that the frame assembly is in a desired orientation with respect to the adjacent vertebra; positioning the frame assembly proximal the treatment or surgical site; securing the frame assembly to the adjacent vertebra; providing a pivot arm assembly which includes a pivot arm and a pivot pin bracket operatively coupled to the pivot arm; removably attaching the pivot arm assembly to the frame assembly by sliding the pivot pin bracket into the frame assembly for engagement with the frame assembly; and operatively coupling a drill bit to the pivot arm and rotating the pivot arm and drill bit about a pivot point in fixed relation to the frame assembly to form the channel in the surface or sub-surface of the vertebra.