| abstract |
A guarded sleeve system for use in human spinal surgery across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: an outer sleeve having an opening for providing protected access to the disc space and at least portions of the adjacent vertebral bodies; and nat least one extended portion extending from the outer sleeve for insertion into the disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies, said at least one extended portion having a portion for bearing against each of the adjacent endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies, said portion of said at least one extended portion having upper and lower surfaces adapted to contact the respective endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies for properly aligning and distancing apart the adjacent vertebral bodies. |