Method and system for identification of a center of a vertebral disc space and corresponding central axis of a spinal column

A device for identification of a center of a vertebral disc space and corresponding central axis of a spinal column comprising:

• a) a single grasping portion at a user proximal end of said device configured to facilitate a surgeon's manipulation and use of the device, said grasping portion comprising a single handheld extension suited to fit in a surgeon's hand when gripped by a surgeon, thereby facilitating operation of said device without the need to use two hands;
• b) a center-line indicating portion operatively associated with said single grasping portion, said center-line indicating portion having a first component for identifying one border of the patient's anterior longitudinal ligament and a second component for identifying a separate border of the patient's anterior longitudinal ligament, and a third component for marking a point equidistant from each of said borders, said third component having an annular portion sized to accommodate a commercial device selected from the group consisting of a Bovie® pen, a laser emitter and an electrode device, said commercial device received by the annular portion in a manner that facilitates location of a central location between said first and second components and to generate an indication of the location of a particular location,
• c) a connecting portion associated with the grasping portion, said connecting portion hingedly attached to said first component and said second component, said first component and said second component being rotatable about a common point, each of said first and second components having an extended longitudinal axis, with a first end associated with said connecting portion and a second end having a pointed patient-contacting end extending directly in line with said axis;
• and
• d) an adjustment device for adjusting a position of one of the hingedly attached first component and said second component, wherein said third component is positioned between said first and second components when said first component, second component and third component are adapted to be in contact with a patient's vertical disc space when identifying a center of a vertebral disc space.