Variable angle spinal surgery instrument

A method for inserting a spinal implant in a patient, comprising:

• coupling an insertion instrument to a spinal implant, the insertion instrument comprising:
• a shaft;
• a coupling member rotatably coupled with the shaft, wherein the coupling member has an end face with one or more elements for engaging and inserting the spinal implant between vertebrae;
• and
• a slide slidably disposed over and coupled to the shaft, wherein the slide is axially moveable between a first position spaced from the coupling member and a second position coupled to the coupling member, wherein the slide is selectively coupleable with the coupling member to inhibit rotation of the coupling member with respect to the shaft, wherein the shaft and the coupling member are coupled when the slide is in the first position;
• wherein coupling the insertion instrument to the spinal implant further comprises selectively engaging one or more capture elements on the slide with one or more capture elements on the coupling member, wherein engaging the one more capture elements on the slide with the one or more capture elements on the coupling member inhibits rotation of the coupling member with respect to the shaft and the capture elements of the coupling member and the slide comprise teeth:
• inserting the spinal implant with the instrument to a first location between vertebrae with the shaft in a first orientation with respect to the coupling member;
• rotating the shaft to a second orientation with respect to the coupling member while the coupling member remains between the vertebrae;
• and
• advancing the implant to a second location between the vertebrae;
• and
• removing the coupling member from the patient.