Patent ID: 7875034

Claim:
An instrument positionable in a spinal disc space for distracting adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first plate portion positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae; a second plate portion positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said first and second plate portions each including a shaft portion extending proximally therefrom along a longitudinal axis to a hinge connecting said shaft portions to one another, said first and second plate portions further including opposite vertebral endplate contacting surfaces defining a distraction height therebetween, each of said first and second plate portions including a distal end and a proximally facing edge located proximally of said distal end of said respective plate portion, each of said edges extending from said respective plate portion toward the other of said first and second plate portions, said edges defining an entry into a space between said first and second plate portions with said first and second plate portions each including an inner surface extending along said space from said edge thereof to said distal end thereof; a handle at a proximal end of said shaft portions, said handle and said shaft portions defining a longitudinal passage; and an actuating member positioned in said passage, said actuating member including an elongated shaft and an engaging member at a distal end of said shaft in contact with said inner surfaces of said first and second plate portions, wherein said actuating member is movable in said passage to move said engaging member past said edges to contact said engaging member with said inner surfaces of said of said plate members so that said engaging member increases a spacing between said plate members based on a position of said engaging member in contact with said inner surfaces of said first and second plate portions, wherein said engaging member includes a stepped configuration along an outer surface thereof, said stepped configuration including a distal portion providing a first distraction height when contacting said inner surfaces of said first and second plate portions, an intermediate portion providing a second distraction height when contacting said inner surfaces of said first and second plate portions, and a proximal portion providing a third distraction height when contacting said inner surfaces of said first and second plate portions.