Patent ID: 8864770

Claim:
A vertebral distractor-inserter, comprising: (a) a pair of laterally offset opposing arms comprising a first arm having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a second arm having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the pair of laterally offset opposing arms comprises a distracted configuration in which the distal portion of the first arm is separated from the distal portion of the second arm and a non-distracted configuration in which the distal portion of the first arm is adjacent to the distal portion of the second arm, wherein the distal portion of the first arm is laterally offset relative to the distal portion of the second arm, wherein the distal portion of the first arm is configured to cross the distal portion of the second arm; (b) a driving rod extending between the pair of laterally offset opposing arms; and (c) a drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the driving rod.