Endplate punch template and method of use

An instrument for penetrating a vertebral endplate surface comprising:

• a first plate having a endplate engaging surface comprising a plurality of extensions projecting therefrom to form a first extension template, the first extension template including a centrally disposed extension and at least one extension radially disposed about the centrally disposed extension wherein the first extension template is configured to penetrate an endplate surface of a first vertebra when advanced into the endplate surface of the first vertebra;
• and
• a second plate having a endplate engaging surface comprising a plurality of extensions projecting therefrom to form a second extension template, the second extension template including a centrally disposed extension and at least one extension radially disposed about the centrally disposed extension wherein the second extension template is configured to penetrate an endplate surface of a second vertebra when advanced into the endplate surface of the second vertebra;
• wherein each of the plurality of extensions have a leading end and a trailing end separated apart from one another by a continuous wall, the leading end of each extension projecting from the first and second extension templates is configured to penetrate the endplate of the first vertebra.

An interbody implant system comprising:

• an instrument for penetrating an endplate surface of a vertebra comprising:
• a first plate having an endplate engaging surface comprising a plurality of extensions projecting therefrom, the first extension template including a centrally disposed extension and at least one extension radially disposed about the centrally disposed extension wherein the first extension template is configured to penetrate an endplate surface of a first vertebra so as to produce a complementary design to the template when advanced into the endplate surface of the first vertebra;
• a second plate having a first endplate engaging surface comprising a plurality of extensions projecting from the first endplate engaging surface to form a second extension template, the second extension template including a centrally disposed extension and at least one extension radially disposed about the centrally disposed extension wherein the second extension template is configured to penetrate an endplate surface of a second vertebra so as to produce a design complementary to the template when advanced into the endplate surface of the second vertebra;
• and
• at least one interbody implant having at least one extension on at least one surface of the interbody implant configured to mate with at least part of the complementary cavity design formed in the endplate surface of at least one of the first and second vertebrae.