Vertical cutter and method of use

A cutting tool for cutting disc material between adjacent vertebrae comprising:

• a cylinder or tube;
• a shaft received within the cylinder or tube;
• and
• a cutting blade made of an elongate, thin shape memory alloy material configured to bend into a looped configuration, wherein the cutting blade is detachable from the shaft, retractable inside the cylinder or tube, and extendable outside the cylinder or tube, wherein the cutting blade comprises inclined sides that extend vertically relative to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder or tube when the cutting blade is extended outside the cylinder or tube, the cutting blade further comprising a cutting edge, a portion of which when extended free of the cylinder or tube extends a distance above the tube outside diameter, wherein the cutting edge cuts linearly relative to the longitudinal axis as the cutting blade is moved inwardly and outwardly and when positioned between adjacent vertebrae is configured to cut disc material by pushing inwardly and pulling outwardly relative to the disc as the cutting edge of the cutting blade scrapes and cuts the disc material parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder or tube.