Drill burrs for anterior decompression of the spinal cord--a new device

We have devised a new drill burr that is particularly suitable for an anterior approach to the spinal cord. The drill burr is conical in shape, with a shaft attached to its top and fine diamond edges on the curved slope, but not on its tip. The bone is scraped off while the burr is being gently pulled up but not pressed down. This new drill burr has proved to be most useful in safely removing osteophytes and hypertrophied uncovertebral joints without damaging the already compromised spinal cord.