Patent ID: 8777959

Claim:
A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space comprising: accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies; securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body; providing a distractor for distracting the disc space; engaging said distractor with said first and second pins to distract the disc space; disengaging said distractor from said first and second pins; providing an inserter holding said intervertebral disc implant, said inserter being separate from said distractor; after said disengaging step, engaging said inserter with said first and second pins; and advancing said inserter toward the disc space for inserting said intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, wherein said first and second pins align and guide said inserter toward the disc space.