Patent ID: 7909878

Claim:
An apparatus for attaching an outrigger to an artificial spinal disc, said artificial spinal disc being for location within an intervertebral space between first and second adjacent vertebra, said space normally occupied by a natural spinal disc, said apparatus comprising: an artificial spinal motion preservation disc configured to preserve motion when implanted in an intervertebral space; a carrier including an arcuate segment fixed on the distal end of the carrier; a tubular drill guide operably coupled with the arcuate segment and continuously translatable there along for radial travel of the tubular drill guide in a cephalad/caudal direction; and a connection structure operable to detachable connect the carrier with the artificial disc, wherein the connection structure coupled the carrier to the artificial disc, and wherein said drill guide includes a tubular member having a central axis, and wherein said central axis of the tubular member continuously intersects a common point as said drill guide is translated along said carrier in a cephalad/caudal direction, and wherein the common point spatially intersects with a position on the artificial disc, wherein the artificial disc comprises a bore disposed on an outer surface of the artificial disc, and the common point spatially intersects with a position in said bore.