Dilating stylet and cannula

A surgical instrument set comprising:

• a cannula having a distal end, a proximal end, a passage therethrough, and a mid-longitudinal axis, said distal end having an outer perimeter converging toward the mid-longitudinal axis of said cannula, said distal end being sufficiently rigid to penetrate and displace bone during advancement of said distal end of said cannula into the bone, said distal end including a distal edge, said outer perimeter of said distal end of said cannula comprising a first linear portion being at a first angle to the mid-longitudinal axis of the cannula, and a second linear portion being at a second angle to the mid-longitudinal axis of the cannula, the second angle having a value different from the first angle, the second linear portion extending from the first linear portion to said distal edge;
• and
• a stylet having a distal end, a proximal end, and a mid-longitudinal axis passing through said distal and proximal ends, said stylet including a handle at said proximal end of said stylet, said handle having an enlarged portion and a neck between said enlarged portion and said distal end of said stylet, said neck having a reduced cross-section relative to said enlarged portion and perpendicular to the mid-longitudinal axis of said stylet, said stylet having a tapered transition portion proximate said distal end, said tapered transition portion having an angle approximating the second angle of said outer perimeter of said distal end of said cannula, said stylet being sized and configured to be inserted into said passage of said cannula, at least a portion of said tapered transition portion and said distal end of said stylet being configured to extend beyond said distal end of said cannula;
• said neck including a stop configured to prevent said stylet from passing completely through said cannula.