Vertebral implant inserter and method of use

Abstract

A surgical installation tool to insert a vertebral implant into a patient includes an elongated handle and a head attached to one end. The vertebral implant may be attached to the head. The head may include an engagement member that is movable between engaged and released positions. The engagement member may be outwardly biased so that it naturally rests in the released position. The engagement member may be inwardly movable from the released position to the engaged position. A reactive force caused by the inward deflection may supply the attachment force between the installation tool and the vertebral implant. The attachment between the vertebral implant to the installation tool may be maintained while the engagement member is in the engaged position.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A method of attaching a vertebral implant to an insertion tool, the method comprising:
 aligning a retainer attached to an end of the insertion tool with the vertebral implant; contacting the retainer with the vertebral implant; moving the vertebral implant relative to the retainer thereby moving the retainer from a released position having a first width to an engaged position having a second width that is smaller than the first width; and applying an attachment force between the retainer and the vertebral implant while the retainer is in the engaged position and maintaining attachment of the vertebral implant to the insertion tool.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the vertebral implant is a hook. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein moving the retainer from a released position having a first width to an engaged position having a second width that is smaller than the first width further comprises compressing a slotted ring. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein moving the retainer from a released position having a first width to an engaged position having a second width that is smaller than the first width further comprises deflecting a leaf spring. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20  wherein moving the retainer from a released position having a first width to an engaged position having a second width that is smaller than the first width further comprises moving the engagement element against a biasing force applied by a resilient biasing member. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein moving the vertebral implant relative to the retainer comprises rotating the vertebral implant about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second widths. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein moving the vertebral implant relative to the retainer comprises sliding the vertebral implant onto the retainer. 
   
   
       27 . A method of attaching a vertebral implant to an insertion tool, the method comprising:
 aligning a head attached to an end of the insertion tool with the vertebral implant, the head having a longitudinal axis;   contacting the vertebral implant with an engagement element that is operatively coupled to the head;   moving the vertebral implant relative to the engagement element thereby moving the engagement element from a released position to an engaged position, the engagement element disposed in closer proximity to the longitudinal axis in the engaged position than in the released position, the engagement element biased towards the released position; and   applying an attachment force between the engagement element and the vertebral implant while the engagement element is in the engaged position and maintaining attachment of the vertebral implant to the insertion tool.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the vertebral implant is a hook. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein moving the engagement element from a released position to an engaged position further comprises compressing a slotted ring. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27  wherein moving the engagement element from a released position to an engaged position further comprises deflecting a leaf spring. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27  wherein moving the engagement element from a released position to an engaged position further comprises moving the engagement element against a biasing force applied by a resilient biasing member. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 27  wherein moving the vertebral implant relative to the engagement element comprises sliding the vertebral implant onto the engagement element. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 27  wherein moving the vertebral implant relative to the engagement element comprises rotating the vertebral implant about a plane in which the longitudinal axis lies, the plane being substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the engagement element from the released position to the engaged position.