Patent ID: 8579911

Claim:
An insertion tool for inserting an intervertebral disc implant between first and second vertebral bodies comprising: an inserter body having a first slot; and an inserter head integrally connected with the inserter body, the inserter head including: a second slot; a first arm including a first inwardly facing surface having a first projection extending transversely therefrom and a first vertebral body stop adapted to abut against the first vertebral body to prevent over-insertion of the intervertebral disc implant during insertion, the first projection adapted to engage a first depression of the intervertebral disc implant; a second arm including a second inwardly facing surface having a second projection extending transversely therefrom and a second vertebral body stop adapted to abut against the first vertebral body to prevent over-insertion of the intervertebral disc implant during insertion, the second projection adapted to engage a second depression of the intervertebral disc implant; a raised upper alignment groove extending along a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool; and a raised lower alignment groove extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second slots form a first continuous slot and the upper and lower alignment grooves are tapered with respect to each other.