Intervertebral prosthesis placement instrument

Abstract

The invention concerns an intervertebral prosthesis placement instrument which can be used to facilitate accurate positioning of a spinal disc prosthesis between adjacent spinal vertebrae. The instrument has opposed jaws formed with tips that are shaped for insertion between the vertebrae. The jaws can be moved apart from one another to distract the vertebrae, allowing the prosthesis to enter between the vertebrae. The jaws also have opposed surfaces which are shaped to embrace the prosthesis between them and to guide the prosthesis into position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intervertebral prosthesis placement instrument comprising opposed jaws having tips shaped for insertion between adjacent vertebrae between which the prosthesis is to be placed, the jaws being movable apart from one another and having opposing inner surfaces shaped to receive the prosthesis between them and to guide the prosthesis into position between the distracted vertebrae, wherein each of the opposing surfaces of the jaws include slots therein to slidably receive projections carried by the prosthesis, the slots adapted to guide the projections into slots cut in the vertebrae.