All through one drill guide for cervical plating

1. An apparatus for guiding medical instruments used in attaching a cervical plate, the cervical plate having a receptacle, the apparatus comprising:

a handle comprising a handle shaft;

an alignment stand affixed to the handle shaft and configured to interface with the receptacle, wherein a first end of the alignment stand comprises an angle-limiting post, the angle limiting post having a neck portion and a flared distal end, the angle-limiting post configured to be seated within the receptacle to permit the alignment stand to interface with the receptacle at a range of angles such that when the angle-limiting post is seated in the receptacle, the alignment stand can be tilted relative to the cervical plate through the range of angles, and wherein the flared distal end of the angle-limiting post is configured to limit the angle by abutting the receptacle when the angle equals a maximum angle; and

an instrument guide tube coupled to the alignment stand and having a lumen therethrough;

wherein when the first end of the alignment stand is in communication with the receptacle in the cervical plate, the instrument guide tube is positioned over a bone screw receiving hole in the cervical plate and an axial centerline of the instrument guide tube passes through the bone screw receiving hole.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instrument guide tube comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the instrument guide tube includes a depth stop collar.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the second end of the instrument guide tube is tapered.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cervical plate comprises a locking cap which acts as the receptacle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instrument guide tube is coupled to a second end of the alignment stand.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instrument guide tube can swivel about the alignment stand so that the instrument guide tube can be positioned over a second bone screw receiving hole in the cervical plate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instrument guide tube is a first instrument guide tube, and wherein the bone screw receiving hole is a first bone screw receiving hole, the apparatus further comprising:

a second instrument guide tube coupled to the alignment stand and including a lumen therethrough;

wherein the alignment stand is configured to interface with the receptacle of the cervical plate, such that when the first end of the alignment stand is in communication with the receptacle in the cervical plate, the second instrument guide tube is positioned over a second bone screw receiving hole in the cervical plate and an axial centerline of the second instrument guide tube passes through the second bone screw receiving hole.

8. An apparatus for guiding medical instruments used in attaching a cervical plate, the cervical plate having a receptacle, the apparatus comprising:

a handle comprising a handle shaft;

an alignment stand affixed to the handle shaft and configured to interface with the receptacle, the alignment stand including at least two alignment slots formed therein, wherein a first end of the alignment stand comprises an angle-limiting post having a ball portion configured to be seated within the receptacle, wherein the ball portion is configured to roll or tilt within the receptacle to permit the alignment stand to interface with the receptacle at a range of angles, and wherein the angle-limiting post is configured to allow the alignment stand to be tilted through the range of angles while the angle-limiting post is seated in the receptacle, and to limit the angle by abutting the receptacle when the angle equals a maximum angle; and

an instrument guide tube comprising a lumen therethrough and a rotational coupling operable to rotatably couple the instrument guide tube to the alignment stand, the rotational coupling comprising an alignment pin operable to seat in one of the at least two alignment slots to prevent the instrument guide tube from rotating about the alignment stand;

wherein when a first end of the alignment stand is in communication with the receptacle in the cervical plate and the alignment pin is seated in one of the at least two alignment slots, the instrument guide tube is positioned over a bone screw receiving hole in the cervical plate and an axial centerline of the instrument guide tube passes through the bone screw receiving hole.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:

the alignment stand comprises a first annular ring and a second annular ring and the at least two alignment slots are formed in the first annular ring;

rotational coupling of the instrument guide tube comprises a rotational sleeve surrounding the first and the second annular rings of the alignment stand;

the alignment pin protrudes within the rotational sleeve between the first annular ring and the second annular ring; and

the rotational sleeve rotates with respect to the alignment stand unless the alignment pin is seated in one of the at least two alignment slots.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the rotational sleeve comprises a bottom collar, the apparatus further comprising:

a spring in compression between the first annular ring and the bottom collar, wherein compression pressure from the spring is operable to hold the alignment pin in the one of the at least two alignment slots, and wherein the spring is operable to further compress as the rotational sleeve is lifted and rotated to permit the alignment pin to seat in another of the at least two alignment slots.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the instrument guide tube comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the instrument guide tube comprises a depth stop collar.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second end of the instrument guide tube is tapered.