US Patent 7153310 Vertebral bone distraction instruments

An orthopedic device set includes a plurality of intervertebral spacer elements, an instrument for holding the spacer elements during the insertion and removal thereof into and out from between adjacent vertebral bones, and a tool which facilitates the loading and unloading of the spacer elements into and out of the instrument. The tool includes a handle and a bifurcated end having a pair of similarly curved tines. The bifurcated end is engageable with each spacer element during the loading and unloading of the spacer element.