Patent ID: 8348958

Claim:
An instrument for holding an intervertebral spacer, the instrument comprising: a selectively engageable shaft, which is axially movable relative to a longitudinal axis of a fixed shaft, having a proximal end—, and a distal end forming a first portion of a pincer for holding said spacer wherein the first portion of the pincer is a semicircular hook having an enclosure within which the spacer is held; the fixed shaft having a proximal end forming a handle and having a distal portion forming a second portion of the pincer, complimentary to the first portion, and positioned proximal to the first portion; and an actuation mechanism located at the proximal end of the selectively engageable shaft for axially moving the selectively engageable shaft from a first, engaged position to hold the spacer to a second, disengaged position to release the spacer, the acutation mechanism comprising a compression assembly mechanically connected to the selectively engageable shaft, the compression assembly comprising a spring-biased compression trigger for axially moving the selectively engageable shaft to a first, engaged position and a release trigger for axially moving the selectively engageable shaft to a second, disengaged position.