Composite vertebral spacers and instrument

An intervertebral fusion system comprising:

• an intervertebral fusion cage that is expandable from a first position to an expanded position, the intervertebral fusion cage including:
• a leading portion;
• a first support member that extends from the leading portion in a first direction when the intervertebral fusion cage is in the first position, wherein the first support member is pivotally coupled to the leading portion, and the first support member defines a first inner side and a first outer side opposite the first inner side;
• and
• a second support member that extends from the leading portion in the first direction when the intervertebral fusion cage is in the first position, wherein the second support member is pivotally coupled to the leading portion, and the second support member defines a second inner side and a second outer side that is opposite the second inner side, the second inner side facing the first inner side when the intervertebral fusion cage is in the first position;
• and
• an actuator member configured to attach to the leading portion at a distal end of the actuator member when the intervertebral fusion cage is in the first position, such that the actuator member extends in a second direction toward the distal end at a location between the first and second outer sides, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction,
• wherein when the distal end of the actuator member is attached to the leading portion as the intervertebral fusion cage is in the first position, movement of the actuator member in the first direction causes the distal end of the actuator member to bear against the leading portion so as to cause the intervertebral fusion cage to move from the first position to the expanded position, whereby the first and second support members pivot with respect to the leading portion away from each other such that the first and second support members flare away from each other as they extend away from the leading portion, and no part of either of the first and second support members extends past the leading portion in the second direction.

An intervertebral fusion system comprising:

• a) an intervertebral fusion cage that is expandable from a first position to an expanded position, the intervertebral fusion cage including:
• i. a leading portion;
• ii. a first support member that is pivotally coupled to the leading portion, wherein the first support member extends from the leading portion in a proximal direction when the intervertebral fusion cage is in the first position;
• and
• iii. a second support member that is pivotally coupled to the leading portion, wherein the second support member extends from the leading portion in the proximal direction when the intervertebral fusion cage is in the first position;
• and
• b) an insertion instrument including:
• i. an instrument component that is capable of bearing against the intervertebral fusion cage;
• and
• ii. an elongate member that extends out from the instrument component in a distal direction to a distal end of the elongate member that is configured to attach to the leading portion, wherein the distal direction is opposite the proximal direction,
• wherein when the intervertebral fusion cage is in the first position and the elongate member is disposed between respective opposed outer sides of the first and second support members, movement of the elongate member relative to the instrument component in the proximal direction causes the instrument component to bear against the intervertebral fusion cage in the distal direction, thereby causing the intervertebral fusion cage to move from the first position to the expanded position, whereby the first and second support members pivot about the leading portion away from each other to a position such that no portion of either of the first and second support members extends from the leading portion in the distal direction.