Patent ID: 8043344

Claim:
A method of inserting a spinal implant between two vertebrae using an implant inserter having a handle structure having a longitudinal axis and a passage; a pair of spring biased paddles extending from the handle, the paddles having a distal end, a proximal end, and a stop structure extending generally perpendicularly therefrom proximate the distal end; a shaft movable within the passage and at least a portion having a first threaded portion; a pusher block operably connected to the shaft and having a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant and an ejector rod extending therefrom; and a clutch member, at least a portion of which has screw threads for selectively engaging the first threaded portion of the shaft; the method of inserting comprising the steps of: inserting an implant against the pusher block and in between the paddles proximate the distal end, the paddles holding the implant therebetween via a spring force; inserting the distal ends of the paddles in between the two vertebrae such that the stop structure abuts at least one of the two vertebrae; moving the shaft through the passage of the handle such that the implant, pusher block and ejector rod move toward the distal end of the paddles and spread the paddles apart; and further moving the shaft, pusher block and ejector rod toward the distal end, thereby withdrawing the paddles from in between the two vertebrae when the ejector rod engages at least one of the two vertebrae and the stop structure is removed from abutting the at least one of the two vertebrae.