Patent ID: 8062303

Claim:
An instrument for inserting an implant, comprising: a first ramp including a vertebral contact surface and opposing lateral edges, each extending parallel to a first longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends thereof; a second ramp including a vertebral contact surface and opposing lateral edges, each extending parallel to a second longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends thereof; and at least one distraction guide including: (i) first and second faces directed medially toward one another, and each including first and second engagement structures slidingly engaging a respective one of the lateral edges of the first and second ramps such that an initial angle is established between the first and second longitudinal axes, and (ii) an implant clamping structure for engaging the implant during insertion, wherein: advancement of the distraction guide, and the implant engaged therewith, distally results in sliding of the first and second engagement structures of each of the first and second faces along the respective lateral edges of the first and second ramps and parallel to respective ones of the first and second longitudinal axes such that the respective vertebral contact surfaces of the first and second ramps separate while holding the initial angle substantially constant.