Patent ID: 8496709

Claim:
A spinal implant system comprising: an elongate guide wire; an insertion tool having an elongate lockshaft defining a longitudinal interior lockshaft pathway configured for receipt of the guide wire; an intervertebral implant having a body with a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the intervertebral implant comprises a substantially bullet shaped distal end and defines at least one implant aperture therethrough the body substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis and wherein the intervertebral implant is configured for insertion between two adjacent vertebrae; wherein, the elongate lockshaft selectively engages a portion of the intervertebral implant such that the interior lockshaft pathway and the implant aperture are substantially coaxial to facilitate insertion of the intervertebral implant over the guide wire; wherein the body comprises two opposing longitudinal gripping facets each defining a ridged, substantially planar surface.