Patent ID: 8500749

Claim:
An instrument for inserting an implant between vertebrae, comprising: an upper and a lower ramp each having a respective proximal and a distal end; a bracket assembly coupled to the upper and lower ramps at the proximal ends, the bracket assembly biasing the upper and lower ramps closed at the distal end; a drive member having a longitudinal axis and a screw thread thereon, the drive member disposed between the upper and lower ramps and extending through a passage in the bracket assembly; an adjustable spreader operably coupled to the drive member and movable between the upper and lower ramps along the longitudinal axis by rotation of the drive member, the upper ramp bearing against the adjustable spreader as the spreader forwardly advances along the longitudinal axis causing the upper ramp to separate from the lower ramp, the extent of distraction being defined by the adjustable spreader; and an implant holder coupled to the adjustable spreader, the implant holder comprising a foot for supporting the implant and a spring-biased wire loop for grasping the implant, the implant holder configured to releasably hold the implant during forward advancement along the longitudinal axis, the implant separated from the upper and lower ramps.