System for implanting a spinal fusion implant and related methods

A method for implanting a spinal fusion implant between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, the method comprising:

• determining an insertion position for the spinal fusion implant using a trial instrument;
• and
• inserting the spinal fusion implant at the insertion position using an inserter configured to engage the spinal fusion implant;
• wherein the inserter comprises an outer shaft comprising a central bore, a proximal end, a distal end, and one or more insertion tangs at the distal end thereof;
• an inner shaft extending through the central bore of the outer shaft, the inner shaft comprising a rotational lock at a distal end thereof, the rotational lock including a key that is shaped and sized to fit into a keyed insertion slot of the spinal implant;
• a thumbwheel coupled to the proximal end of the outer shaft, the thumbwheel being configured to translate and to rotate the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft, thereby locking or unlocking the spinal implant to the inserter;
• and
• a lock disposed at least partially within the thumbwheel,
• wherein the thumbwheel of the inserter comprises a housing and an inner aperture extending longitudinally within the housing, and a proximal connection member configured to extend proximally from the thumbwheel.