Patent ID: 8241294

Claim:
An inserter/expander instrument comprising: a) a first longitudinal member having a distal end portion adapted for engaging a first vertebral surface, an intermediate portion, and a proximal portion, b) a second longitudinal member having a distal end portion adapted for engaging a second vertebral surface, an intermediate portion, and a proximal portion, c) first and second cross bars distally pivotally attached to the longitudinal members at distal pivots; pivotally attached together at a third pivot; and slidably attached at their respective proximal ends to the opposing longitudinal member by a pin and groove arrangement, d) a first expansion actuation mechanism attached to the proximal portion of the first longitudinal member, the expansion actuation mechanism adapted to incrementally distally advance the proximal portion first cross bar to expand the distal portions of the longitudinal members, and e) a second expansion actuation mechanism attached to the proximal portion of the first longitudinal member, the second expansion actuation mechanism adapted to incrementally distally advance the proximal portion of the first cross bar to expand the distal portions of the longitudinal members, wherein the second expansion mechanism comprises a knob having a threaded shaft extending therefrom, the thread of the shaft mating with a thread upon an internal diameter of a tube located with the first longitudinal member, and wherein the shaft of the knob is connected to the pin of the pin and groove arrangement, so that distal movement of the shaft of the knob results in an opening of the cross bars.