Apparatus and method for performing spinal surgery

Abstract

A cutting guide for use in spinal surgery includes a sidewall defining an internal cavity. A chisel guide, for use with the cutting guide, includes a first block member to be inserted into the internal cavity of the cutting guide to position the first block member adjacent the vertebral body. The chisel guide also includes a second block member connected to the first block member. An apparatus for creating a cavity in a-vertebral body endplate and in an intervertebral disc may be a compressor or a distractor having at least one cutting implement thereon. A tensioner determines a proper elongation distance in a prosthesis implanted in a vertebral body.

1 . A cutting guide for use in removing bone from a vertebral body, comprising: 
 a sidewall defining an internal cavity, the sidewall having (i) a first edge to face toward and to contact the vertebral body in at least three points and (ii) a second, opposite edge to face away from the vertebral body, the first edge including at least two concave portions and at least one convex portion oriented generally perpendicular to the at least two concave portions.    
   
   
       2 . The cutting guide according to  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall comprises four walls arranged to form a rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The cutting guide according to  claim 2 , wherein the first edge is concave along a first of the four walls and along an opposite second of the four walls, and wherein the first edge is convex along a third of the four walls and along an opposite fourth of the four walls.  
   
   
       4 . The cutting guide according to  claim 3 , wherein the concave first edge along the first wall is a mirror image of the concave first edge along the second wall, and wherein the convex first edge along the third wall is a mirror image of the convex first edge along the fourth wall.  
   
   
       5 . The cutting guide according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the four walls includes a hole extending from the first edge to the second edge to receive a fastener therethrough.  
   
   
       6 . The cutting guide according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one concave portion is formed by a plurality of adjacent surfaces, and wherein the at least one convex portion is formed by a plurality of adjacent surfaces.  
   
   
       7 . A chisel guide for use in cutting bone of a vertebral body comprising: 
 a first block member to be positioned adjacent the vertebral body; and    a second block member connected to the first block member, the second block member having a channel formed on one side thereof, the channel terminating at the first block member.    
   
   
       8 . The chisel guide according to  claim 7 , wherein the first block member and the second block member are formed as one integral piece.  
   
   
       9 . The chisel guide according to  claim 7 , wherein the first block member has a first width, and the second block member has a second width greater than the first width such that the second block member form a pair of opposed shoulders with respect to the first block member.  
   
   
       10 . The chisel guide according to  claim 7 , wherein the second block member extends beyond the perimeter of the first block member in at least one dimension to form a shoulder with the first block member.  
   
   
       11 . A cutting guide and chisel guide combination for use in removing bone from a vertebral body comprising: 
 a cutting guide including, 
 a sidewall defining an internal cavity, the sidewall having (i) a first edge to face toward and to contact the vertebral body in at least three points and (ii) a second, opposite edge to face away from the vertebral body; and  
   a chisel guide including, 
 a first block member to be inserted into the internal cavity of the cutting guide to position the first block member adjacent the vertebral body such that a passage remains between a first side of the first block member and an inner surface of the sidewall of the cutting guide, and  
 a second block member connected to the first block member.  
   
   
   
       12 . The cutting guide and chisel guide combination according to  claim 11 , wherein the first block member and the second block member are formed as one integral piece.  
   
   
       13 . The cutting guide and chisel guide combination according to  claim 11 , wherein the second block member is solid.  
   
   
       14 . The cutting guide and chisel guide combination according to  claim 11 , wherein the first block member has a first width, and the second block member has a second width greater than the first width such that the second block member forms a pair of opposed shoulders with respect to the first block member.  
   
   
       15 . The cutting guide and chisel guide combination according to  claim 11 , wherein the second block member extends beyond the perimeter of the first block member in at least one dimension to form a shoulder with the first block member.  
   
   
       16 . The cutting guide and chisel guide combination according to  claim 12 , wherein the second block member comprises a channel formed on one side thereof, the channel terminating at the first block member.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for use in removing bone from a vertebral body comprising: 
 a shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end of the shaft connectable to a power source; and    a reamer connected to the first end of the shaft, the reamer including at least one cutting member and a collection space to collect bone fragments cut by the at least one cutting member,    wherein adjacent each of the at least one cutting member is a slot through which the bone fragments pass into the collection space.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the reamer is detachably connected to the first end of the shaft.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the power source is a drill.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the reamer has a circular cross-section.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one cutting member is positioned on a bone engaging surface of the reamer.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the bone engaging surface is flat except for the at least one cutting implement and slots associated therewith.  
   
   
       23 - 51 . (canceled)