Tissue removal tools and methods of use

1. An intervertebral disc preparation system for preparing an intervertebral disc space for implantation of a prosthetic device, comprising:

a guide member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the guide member changeable from a generally linear deployment configuration for insertion into the intervertebral disc space to a predefined less linear deployed configuration within the intervertebral disc space;

at least one elongated member having a distal end portion and an outer surface, the elongated member adapted to be moveable longitudinally along the guide member; and

at least one tissue manipulator for manipulating tissue within the intervertebral disc space, the tissue manipulator being one or more of a tissue cutter for cutting tissue, a tissue scraper for scraping tissue and a tissue extractor for removing tissue from the intervertebral disc space, the tissue manipulator being located at the distal end portion of the elongated member and having at least one tissue manipulation surface that is spaced in a radial direction from the outer surface of the elongated member.

2. The system of claim 1 in which the tissue manipulator is rotatable about the guide member.

3. The system of claim 1 in which the deployed configuration of the guide member is arcuate.

4. The system of claim 1 in which the deployed configuration of the guide member is a spiral configuration.

5. The system of claim 1 in which the tissue cutter comprises at least one blade member.

6. The system of claim 5 in which the at least one blade member comprises a plurality of blade members.

7. The system of claim 1 in which the tissue manipulator is changeable between a deployment configuration for insertion into the intervertebral disc space and a deployed configuration within the intervertebral disc space.

8. The system of claim 1 in which the elongated member and/or tissue manipulation element are constructed from a radiopaque material.

9. An intervertebral disc preparation system for preparing an intervertebral disc space for implantation of a prosthetic device, comprising:

a guide member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the guide member changeable from a generally linear deployment configuration for insertion into the intervertebral disc space to a predefined less linear deployed configuration within the intervertebral disc space;

at least one elongated member having a distal end portion and an outer surface, the elongated member adapted to be moveable longitudinally along the guide member; and

at least one tissue manipulator for manipulating tissue within the intervertebral disc space, the tissue manipulator comprising a tissue scraper configured for scraping a vertebral endplate adjacent the intervertebral disc space, the tissue scraper being located at the distal end portion of the elongated member and having at least one surface for contacting and scraping tissue wherein the surface is spaced in a radial direction from the outer surface of the elongated member.

10. The system of claim 9 in which the tissue manipulator is rotatable about the guide member.

11. The system of claim 9 in which the deployed configuration of the guide member is arcuate.

12. The system of claim 9 in which the deployed configuration of the guide member is a spiral configuration.

13. The system of claim 9 in which the tissue scraper comprises a blade wherein the blade includes the surface for contacting and scraping tissue.

14. The system of claim 13 in which the blade is in a looped configuration.

15. The system of claim 9 in which the at least one tissue manipulator further includes a second tissue manipulator comprising a tissue extractor for removing tissue from the intervertebral space.

16. The system of claim 15 in which the at least one elongated member includes a second elongated member and the tissue extractor is located on the second elongated member.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the tissue extractor includes a plurality of radially extending projections adapted to capture tissue.

18. An intervertebral disc preparation system for preparing an intervertebral disc space for implantation of a prosthetic device, comprising:

a guide member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the guide member changeable from a generally linear deployment configuration for insertion into the intervertebral disc space to a predefined less linear deployed configuration within the intervertebral disc space;

at least one elongated member having a distal end portion and an outer surface, the elongated member adapted to be moveable longitudinally along the guide member; and

at least one tissue manipulator for manipulating tissue within the intervertebral disc space, the tissue manipulator comprising a tissue extractor for removing tissue from the intervertebral space, the tissue extractor being located at the distal end portion of the elongated member and having a plurality of radially extending projections adapted to capture tissue wherein the radially extending projections include tissue manipulation surfaces spaced in a radial direction from the outer surface of the elongated member.

19. The system of claim 18 in which the tissue manipulator is rotatable about the guide member.

20. The system of claim 18 in which the deployed configuration of the guide member is arcuate.

21. The system of claim 18 in which the deployed configuration of the guide member is a spiral configuration.

22. The system of claim 18 in which the radially extending projections include a plurality of tines or bristles.

23. The system of claim 18 in which the radially extending projections are in a generally helical pattern.