Patent ID: 8790403

Claim:
A system for delivering surgical devices to a spinal column of a patient, comprising: (a) a distractor instrument comprising a monorail on a lateral side, wherein the monorail comprises a single raised platform and two sides angled inwardly from the raised platform, and wherein the monorail extends substantially along a length of the distractor instrument, wherein rotation of the distractor instrument is configured to distract a disc space; (b) an inserter instrument, comprising: a first portion having a recessed channel along at least one lateral side for receiving the raised platform of the monorail, wherein the recessed channel engages the raised platform of the monorail to permit longitudinal movement between the distractor instrument and the inserter instrument and wherein once engaged, the distractor instrument and the inserter instrument cannot be disengaged laterally, the inserter instrument positionable in the distracted disc space after rotation of the distractor instrument; a second portion including a shaft and a housing, wherein a threaded knob is disposed within the housing; a rod disposed in the first portion and the second portion, wherein the rod comprises a threaded end protruding from a leading end of the inserter and is attached to the threaded knob so that the threaded knob controls circumferential movement of the rod; and (c) a total disc replacement device comprising an opening for receiving the threaded end of the rod.