Patent ID: 7226452

Claim:
A method of securing a retaining clip having a body member having a first side and a hook flange and at least one lateral flange extending therefrom to an intervertebral disc replacement device having at least one flange defining at least one bone screw hole for receipt therethrough of a bone screw and defining at least one mounting hole, comprising the steps of: removingly engaging said retaining clip to a first end of a first applicator arm of an applicator having said first applicator arm and a second applicator arm; inserting said applicator into a patient treatment area having said intervertebral disc replacement device installed therein; placing said hook flange of said body member of said retaining clip over said at least one flange of said intervertebral disc replacement device; applying a closing force to said first and second applicator arms such that said hook flange securingly engages said at least one flange of said intervertebral disc replacement device and a portion of said at least one lateral flange extends over a portion of said bone screw; disengaging said first applicator arm from said retaining clip; and removing said applicator from said patient treatment area.