Instrument for measuring the distraction pressure between vertebral bodies

Abstract

An instrument for measuring the distraction pressure between vertebral bodies comprises a control device (34, 36; 64, 66) for introducing a pressure force onto surfaces of opposing vertebral bodies and a measuring device (50; 84) associated with the control device (34, 36; 64, 66) for determining the pressure force applied onto the vertebral bodies. According to the invention, at least one end region of the control device (34, 36; 64, 66) carries a support body (10), which is designed for engaging in a concave dome that is surrounded by a bone ring of the vertebral bodies. The support body can be pivoted about at least one pivoting axis with respect to the control device and/or has a convex support surface, so that the support body when engaging into the dome can be pivoted in a sliding manner with respect to the vertebral body about at least one pivoting axis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.