Patent ID: 7314468

Claim:
A method for inserting a spinal implant having at least in part upper and lower arcuate 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 spine having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising the steps of: positioning into the disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies a guard having a body and an extension for insertion at least in part into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebral bodies to restore the spacing of the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae, said 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, said first and second portions being rotatably articulating relative to one another such that when said body moves from an open position to a closed position said extension moves from an insertion position to a deployed position to move the adjacent vertebral bodies apart; rotatably articulating said guard about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spine to move said body from an open position to a closed position and said extension from an insertion position to a deployed position to move the adjacent vertebral bodies apart; and forming, through said guard, an opening having opposed arcuate portions across the height of the disc space and into at least a portion of the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies.