Patent ID: 7645281

Claim:
A method of implanting a vertebral implant in a void between a pair of vertebral endplates, the method comprising: positioning the vertebral implant between the vertebral endplates, the vertebral implant having a surface feature formed thereon that aids in anchoring the implant to the vertebral endplates; coupling an implantation tool to the vertebral implant; actuating the implantation tool to generate alternating motion relative to the vertebral endplates, wherein the alternating motion has a speed and creates a displacement of the vertebral implant relative to the vertebral endplates to form a profile in the endplates substantially matching the profile of the implant, wherein actuating includes varying the speed of the alternating motion depending on the depth of the profile formed in the vertebral endplate; abrading the vertebral endplates adjacent to the intervertebral implant with the intervertebral implant to form the profile in the vertebral endplates; seating the vertebral implant into the profile formed in at least one of the vertebral endplates; decoupling the implantation tool from the vertebral implant, wherein the vertebral implant remains implanted in the at least one vertebral endplate; wherein the vertebral implant comprises a keel surface feature and the speed of the alternating motion is varied as the surface feature becomes seated in the at least one vertebral endplate.