Patent ID: 8257440

Claim:
A method of inserting an intervertebral implant between vertebrae in a human spine, comprising: positioning an intervertebral implant between the vertebrae, wherein the intervertebral implant comprises a first member having a substantially planar first surface configured to couple to a first vertebra, a second member having a substantially planar second surface configured to couple to a second vertebra, and an insert positioned between the first member and the second member; linearly advancing a third member in a direction substantially parallel with the substantially planar first or second surface of the first or second members such that the third member engages and moves the insert between the first member and the second member to increase a distance between the first member and the second member, thereby increasing a height of the intervertebral implant, wherein the height of the intervertebral implant comprises a distance between the substantially planar first surface and the substantially planar second surface, wherein linearly advancing the third member raises a portion of the intervertebral implant through an opening in the second member such that a second vertebra is supported on a contact surface of the portion of the intervertebral implant raised through the opening in the second member; and maintaining at least a portion of the increased height of the intervertebral implant.