Patent ID: 8496664

Claim:
A method for inserting a spinal implant having at least in part non-arcuate upper and lower portions at least in part within and across the generally restored height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the method comprising the acts of: positioning into the disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies a guard having a body and multiple disc space penetrating extensions for insertion at least in part into the disc space and for bearing against the adjacent vertebral bodies to restore the spacing of the disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies, the guard having a first portion oriented toward one of the adjacent vertebral bodies and a second portion oriented toward another of the adjacent vertebral bodies, the first and second portions being rotatably articulating relative to one another such that when the body moves from an open position to a closed position the extensions move from an insertion position to a deployed position to move the adjacent vertebral bodies apart; rotatably articulating the guard to move the body from the open position to the closed position and the extensions from the insertion position to the deployed position to move the adjacent vertebral bodies apart; and forming, through the guard, an implantation space across the height of the disc space and into at least a portion of the adjacent vertebral bodies, the implantation space formed into the adjacent vertebral bodies having at least in part flat surfaces.