Tools for implantation and extraction of artificial discs

A hand manipulated endoscopic medical device, comprising:

• a tool body having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a pair of hand-operated manipulators at the proximal end;
• a pair of forceps at the distal end, the pair of forceps responsive to operation of the pair of hand-operated manipulators, wherein each of the pair of forceps is rotatable about an axis, and wherein an angle of attack of each of the pair of forceps is adjustable, and wherein each of the pair of forceps includes a jaw pivot gear;
• a pinion controlled one of manually and electronically;
• a position selector engaging each of the pair of forceps and the pinion, wherein rotation of the pinion moves the position selector, which rotates at least one of the pair of forceps about the axis;
• a light emitting device having a light generator disposed in the tool body at the proximal end of the tool body, the light emitting device configured to emit light, which is generated by the light generator, at the pair of forceps, the light emitting device disposed in the tool body;
• and
• an imaging device configured to capture images at the pair of forceps, the imaging device disposed in the tool body,
• wherein the position selector comprises:
• a first side having a plurality of first pinion contact spurs and a second side having a plurality of second pinion contact spurs, the first and second pinion contact spurs arranged to engage the pinion, wherein rotation of the pinion acts on the first and second pinion contact spurs to rotate the position selector;
• and
• a plurality of first contacts engaging the jaw pivot gear of a first one of the pair of forceps and a plurality of second contacts engaging the jaw pivot gear of a second one of the pair of forceps, wherein rotation of the position selector adjusts the angle of attack of each of the pair of forceps and locks the angle of attack in place.