Patent ID: 8382768

Claim:
A method, comprising: disposing an implant between opposing first and second ramps of an implant insertion instrument, each of the first and second ramps having one of first and second vertebral contact surfaces, respectively, disposed at a distal end thereof, such that the first and second vertebral contact surfaces are oppositely and outwardly directed and are disposed distally forward of the implant; orienting the first and second vertebral contact surfaces such that they define an initial, non-zero angle therebetween; inserting the distal ends of the first and second ramps into an intervertebral space of a spine such that the first and second vertebral contact surfaces are directed toward respective adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine; advancing the implant distally along and between the ramps such that the first and second vertebral contact surfaces of the first and second ramps separate while holding the initial angle substantially constant, thereby causing the adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine to separate and the intervertebral space of the spine to expand; and continuing to advance the implant distally along and between the ramps such that: (i) the initial angle is maintained substantially constant, and (ii) the implant reaches a position between the first and second vertebral contact surfaces within the intervertebral space, whereby the first and second vertebral contact surfaces prohibit any compressive load on the implant by the adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine.