Patent ID: 7572276

Claim:
A system, comprising an implant positionable adjacent a surgical space associated with a spinal column of a patient; and an insertion instrument including an articulating implant holder adjacent a distal end thereof releasably engageable to said implant, wherein said implant is moveable with said implant holder between a reduced profile orientation relative to said insertion instrument and an increased profile orientation relative to said insertion instrument, said implant holder being adapted to release said implant from said implant holder in the increased profile orientation when said implant is positioned adjacent to and substantially unconstrained in the surgical space, wherein said insertion instrument comprises: an outer shaft coupled and an intermediate shaft extending distally from a proximal handle portion; said implant holder is pivotally coupled to a distal end of said intermediate shaft; and a linkage mechanism extends between and pivotally couples said articulating member to said outer shaft.