Patent ID: 8454622

Claim:
A method of inserting an intervertebral implant between two vertebrae, comprising: (a) providing a vertebral distractor-inserter comprising a pair of opposing arms having distal ends, a driving rod having an axis and extending between the pair of opposing arms, and a drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the driving rod such that the driving rod may not be moved proximally relative to the opposing arms; (b) retracting the driving rod of the vertebral distractor-inserter by rotating the driving about its axis such that the driving rod disengages from the drive mechanism and the driving rod may be moved proximally relative to the opposing arms; (c) placing the intervertebral implant between the pair of opposing arms of the vertebral distractor-inserter; (d) inserting said distal ends of the pair of opposing arms between a pair of vertebrae from a posterior angle; and (e) actuating said distractor-inserter, thereby distracting said vertebrae and inserting said implant between said vertebrae.