Artificial disc inserter

1. An instrument for inserting an artificial disc, the artificial disc including a first component having a first protrusion with a first-protrusion width for extending into a portion of a first vertebral body and a second component having a second protrusion with a second-protrusion width for extending into a portion of a second vertebral body, the instrument comprising:

an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a gripping device connected to the distal end, the gripping device further comprising:

a first member adapted to engage the first component, the first member having a first width substantially equal to or less than the first-protrusion width such that the first member does not extend laterally beyond the first protrusion during insertion of the artificial disc;

a second member adapted to engage the second component, the second member having a second width substantially equal to or less than the second-protrusion width such that the second member does not extend laterally beyond the second protrusion during insertion of the artificial disc; and

a third member positioned at least partially between the first member and the second member, the first member movable with respect to the third member for movement between a first-component-engaged position for engaging the first component and a first-component-released position for releasing the first component, and the second member movable with respect to the third member for movement between a second-component-engaged position for engaging the second component and a second-component-released position for releasing the second component;

wherein the first member, the second member, and the third member are portions of a single integral component.

2. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising:

a first pivotal portion by which a force can be selectively applied to cause the first and third members to selectively engage the first component; and

a second pivotal portion by which a force can be selectively applied to cause the second and third members to selectively engage the second component.

3. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the third member is further adapted to maintain a spaced relation between the first and second components.

4. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the first and second members are offset from one another in a direction transverse to the length of the elongated body.

5. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising:

a compression sleeve configured to receive a portion of the first member;

wherein the first member is adapted to interface with the compression sleeve for selectively moving between the first-component-engaged position and the first-component-released position.

6. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising:

a compression sleeve configured to receive a portion of the first and second members;

wherein the first member is adapted to interface with the compression sleeve for selectively moving between the first-component-engaged position and the first-component-released position; and

wherein the second member is adapted to interface with the compression sleeve for selectively moving between the second-component-engaged position and the second-component-released position.

7. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first member is biased towards the first-component-engaged position.

8. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the second member is biased towards the second-component-engaged position.

9. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively holding the first member in the first-component engaged position and for selectively holding the second component in the second-component engaged position.

10. An instrument for inserting an intervertebral disc prosthesis, the intervertebral disc prosthesis having a first piece having a first keel having a first-keel width on a first exterior surface, the first keel for engaging a superior vertebral body and a second piece having a second keel having a second-keel width on a second exterior surface, the second keel for engaging an inferior vertebral body, the instrument comprising:

a handle;

a rod having a proximal end connected to the handle;

an engagement mechanism connected to a distal end of the rod, the engagement mechanism further comprising:

a first member for selectively engaging the first piece, the first member having a width substantially equal to or less than the first-keel width;

a second member for selectively engaging the second piece, the second member having a width substantially equal to or less than the second-keel width;

a third member having a first surface by which the first member in combination with the first surface can engage the first piece, a second surface by which the second member in combination with the second surface can engage the second piece, and a third surface extending at least partially between the first surface and the second surface for maintaining the first and second pieces in a spaced relation,

wherein the engagement mechanism is a single integral component.

11. The instrument of claim 10 , the engagement mechanism further comprising:

a fulcrum portion by which a force can be selectively applied to the engagement mechanism to cause the first and second members in combination with the first and second surfaces to engage the first and second pieces, respectively.

12. The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the first and second members are movable with respect to the third member between a first position, the first position engaging the first and second pieces and maintaining a spaced relation between the first and second pieces, and a second position, the second position releasing the first and second pieces.

13. A surgical instrument for selectively grasping an implant, comprising:

an elongated body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a longitudinal axis; and

a gripping portion disposed adjacent the distal portion, the gripping portion comprising

a central member having a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface;

a first member extending at least partially in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the first member moveable with respect to the first surface for selectively grasping a first portion of the implant therebetween; and

a second member extending at least partially in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second member moveable with respect to the second surface for selectively grasping a second portion of the implant therebetween, wherein the first member, the second member, and the central member are portions of a single integral component.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 , further including a compression sleeve disposed concentrically around the elongated body, the compression sleeve adapted for selectively moving the first member toward the first surface for selectively grasping the first portion of the implant.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14 , wherein the compression sleeve is further adapted for selectively moving the second member toward the second surface for selectively grasping the second portion of the implant.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 13 , wherein the first and second members are biased towards an engaged position for grasping the first and second portions of the implant.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 13 , further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively holding the first and second members in an engaged position for grasping the first and second portions of the implant.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 13 , further comprising:

a first fulcrum portion by which a force can be selectively applied to the gripping portion to cause the first member to move with respect to the first surface for selectively grasping the first portion of the implant; and

a second fulcrum portion by which a force can be selectively applied to the gripping portion to cause the second member to move with respect to the second surface for selectively grasping the second portion of the implant.

19. An instrument for inserting an artificial disc, the artificial disc including a first component having a first protrusion with a first-protrusion width for extending into a portion of a first vertebral body and a second component having a second protrusion with a second-protrusion width for extending into a portion of a second vertebral body, the instrument comprising:

an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal portion and a distal portion; and

an engagement device for selectively engaging the artificial disc extending from the distal portion of the elongated body, wherein the engagement device and the elongated body are portions of a single integral component, the engagement device comprising:

a first member for engaging the first component, the first member having a first width substantially equal to or less than the first-protrusion width such that the first member does not extend laterally beyond the first protrusion when engaged with the first component of the artificial disc;

a second member for engaging the second component, the second member having a second width substantially equal to or less than the second-protrusion width such that the second member does not extend laterally beyond the second protrusion when engaged with the second component of the artificial disc; and

a third member positioned at least partially between the first member and the second member, the third member having a first surface by which the first member in combination with the first surface selectively engages the first component, a second surface by which the second member in combination with the second surface selectively engages the second component, and a third surface extending at least partially between the first surface and the second surface for maintaining the first and second components in a spaced relation when selectively engaging the artificial disc;

wherein the first member extends at least partially in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the first member movable with respect to the first surface of the third member between a first-component-engaged position for engaging the first component and a first-component-released position for releasing the first component; and

wherein the second member extends at least partially in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second member movable with respect to the second surface of the third member between a second-component-engaged position for engaging the second component and a second-component-released position for releasing the second component.