Patent ID: 7976550

Claim:
An insertion instrument for inserting an artificial disc device having separate upper and lower members in an intervertebral space, the insertion instrument comprising: an elongate shaft assembly having proximate and distal ends including a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a gripping mechanism generally at the distal end of the elongate shaft having a holding configuration for securing a portion of the artificial disc device relative the distal end and a releasing configuration to permit removal of the artificial disc device portion from the elongate shaft assembly; a handle configured to be held by a user's hand; an actuating mechanism between the gripping mechanism and the handle operable to configure the gripping mechanism in the holding configuration and the releasing configuration thereof; and a resilient disc holding member of the gripping mechanism; an upwardly bowed portion of the resilient disc holding member; and a distal holding portion of the upwardly bowed portion configured for securing one of the artificial disc members thereto and extending toward the shaft assembly distal end at a downward incline relative to the longitudinal axis to hold the one artificial disc member secured thereto at a generally corresponding downward incline relative to the longitudinal axis with the resiliency of the resilient disc holding member allowing the upwardly bowed portion to generally flatten out during artificial disc implantation so that the one disc member is oriented to extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis for implantation in the intervertebral space.