INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PROSTHESIS FOR THE CERVICAL SPINE IN THE DOG

A barrel holder apparatus for intervertebral disc prosthesis implantation, the apparatus comprising a first end having one or more apertures shaped to hold removable pins while the prosthesis is being implanted to prevent a first disc and a second disc of the prosthesis from separating, the removable pins being pre-threaded into the first disc and the second disc of the prosthesis prior to the implantation of the prosthesis, and a second end located opposite to the first end, the second end having an opening shaped to hold one of the removable pins while the barrel holder is being rotated to unthread the removable pin out of the prosthesis after the implantation is completed. Also provided is a method for implanting intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc area defined between adjacent cervical vertebrae, the method comprising threading removable pins into a first disc and a second disc of the prosthesis, holding the removable pins with a first end of a barrel holder, the first end having one or more apertures shaped to hold the removable pins, while the prosthetic is being implanted, to prevent the first disc and the second disc of the prosthesis from separating, releasing the removable pins after the implantation is complete, holding one of the removable pins by a second end of the barrel holder, the second end being located opposite to the first end and having an opening shaped to hold the removable pin, and unthreading the removable pin by rotating the barrel holder.