Patent ID: 7473268

Claim:
A method for inserting a main body assembly into a spine of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: a. selecting a main body assembly insertion device, including: i. an elongated body; ii. a proximal end having a handle; and iii. a distal end including an engaging element adapted to engage for implantation the main body assembly, the engaging element comprising at least one alignment pin and an engaging device; b. selecting the main body assembly for insertion into the spine, the main body assembly comprising: i. a body portion having a first end, a second end, and a first wing at said first end, said first wing including at least one alignment hole; ii. a spacer adjacent to the first wing, rotatable about a longitudinal axis; and iii. a tissue expander at the second end of the main body assembly; c. operably engaging the main body assembly insertion device with the main body assembly to create an operably engaged assembly by: i. inserting said at least one alignment pin of said engaging element through said at least one alignment hole of the first wing; ii. inserting the engaging device into an engaging hole of the main body assembly; d. using the operably engaged assembly to urge the tissue expander between adjacent spinous processes and to position the spacer between the spinous processes and the first wing adjacent to the spinous processes; and e. disengaging said main body assembly insertion device from said main body assembly.