Patent ID: 7678114
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device to insert a vertebral implant into a patient, the device comprising: an elongated handle having a distal end and a proximal end; a head attached to the distal end, the head having a longitudinal axis that extends through an inner side of the head that faces towards the handle and an outer side that faces away from the handle; and an engagement element operatively connected to the head and movable between an engaged position and a released position, the engagement element disposed in closer proximity to the longitudinal axis in the engaged position than in the released position, the engagement element biased towards the released position; the head including a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is generally U-shaped with opposing first and second sides and an arcuate bottom; the engagement element includes first and second pairs of opposing cantilevered leaf springs spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the head with each of the pairs including a first member at the first side of the head and a second member at the second side of the head.