Patent ID: 7722622

Claim:
An apparatus for use in inserting a spinal implant between vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a handle structure having a longitudinal axis and a passage; a shaft movable within the passage and at least a portion having a first screw thread; a pusher block operably connected to the shaft and having a forward surface configured to contact the spinal implant; a pair of paddles extending from the handle, the pair of paddles including a distal end positionable between the vertebrae, a proximal end attached to the handle, and a stop structure extending generally away from the longitudinal axis from at least one of the pair of paddles proximate the distal end, at least a portion of the shaft located between the pair of paddles, the paddles comprising separately flexible portions so that the distal ends are biased together, at least one of the pair of paddles has a slot therethrough extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the at least one slot extending distally of the stop structure; an ejector rod operatively connected to the pusher block, the ejector rod having at least one arm, the ejector rod, the pusher block and the shaft movable generally parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the at least one arm slides within the slot, the distal ends of the pair of paddles moving away from each other as the pusher block moves from the proximal end to the distal end; and a clutch member supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the first screw thread.