Abstract: A surgical implant (1) in the form of an intervertebral implant defines a cavity (2) designed to receive bone replacement materials. The bone replacement material is entirely synthetic. With the surgical implant of the present invention, the danger of infection attending a natural bone replacement material is eliminated and, by selecting a synthetic bone replacement material, its physical properties (porosity, pore size, mechanical strength) are no longer exposed to fluctuations.

Abstract: A drill guide has a handle for holding and is configured to actuate a plate-engaging mechanism. An elongated member extends between proximal and distal portions with the proximal portion associated with the handle portion and the distal portion associated with the plate-engaging mechanism. The plate-engaging mechanism is actuated by an actuating member actuated by the second handle portion. The drill guide includes at least one guide sleeve rotatably coupled to the elongated member by a proximal and distal coupler. Furthermore, the plate-engaging mechanism includes a bone plate-engaging portion configured to couple with a bone plate when the second handle portion is moved in a first direction with respect to said first handle portion.