#$%^&*AU2014202207A120140522.pdf#####METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTION OF INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANTS AND DEVICES THEREFOR Abstract Surgical device (10) and methods for using same for distraction of adjacent vertebrae and insertion of an intervertebral implant material therein between are disclosed. In a method, a leading end (12) of the surgical device (10) having major (44) and minor (46) dimensions is inserted between adjacent vertebrae with the minor dimension (46) aligned in the rostral-caudal direction, and then the leading end is rotated to a second orientation to align the major dimension with the rostral-caudal direction. The surgical device (10) includes slots (70) permitting expansion thereof to allow an implant to be disposed from the leading end (12) into the intervertebral space. In another form, a first member (14) of a surgical device is initially inserted in an orientation, and second member (30) is moved relative to the first member to expand the first member for distracting the vertebrae, the implant then being disposed from the leading end into the intervertebral space.
