Patent ID: 7404795

Claim:
An instrument for inserting an implant between vertebral bodies, comprising: a holder adapted to hold the implant during insertion of the implant between the vertebral bodies, the holder including a plurality of arms having distal ends and extensions hingedly connected to the distal ends of the plurality of arms; a retractor adapted to retract the holder away from the implant after the insertion; and a guard adapted to prevent the implant from being removed from between the vertebral bodies during the retraction, wherein the retractor comprises a coupling adapted to couple the holder to the guard and by which relative movement between the holder and the guard is effectable during the retraction, and wherein the guard comprises a shaft adjacent the arms, the shaft having an engagement surface; and the retractor comprises a threaded bore and a screw that is threadable within the bore, the screw having an end that engages the engagement surface of the shaft.