Interbody distractor

A surgical instrument for insertion of an interbody fusion implant between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising:

• a frame member;
• a first arm and a second arm coupled to the frame member, each arm having a distal end region and a proximal end region, the proximal end region of at least one arm being pivotably coupled to the frame member, and the distal end region of each arm defining a distractor plate;
• said distractor plate of each arm being configured to be positioned in direct contact with a vertebral body;
• a wedge positioned between said first and second arms, said wedge being configured to translate the interbody fusion implant along an axis between said proximal end region and said distal end region of said arms while adjusting a distance between said distractor plates of said arms;
• a rack coupled to said wedge and being slideably positioned at least partially through said frame member;
• and
• a pinion positioned at least partially through said frame member for engaging said rack, wherein rotation of said pinion translates said rack and said wedge along said axis;
• wherein translation of said wedge from said proximal end region of said arms toward said distal end region of said arms translates the interbody fusion implant toward the adjacent vertebrae while distracting the adjacent vertebral bodies for placement of the interbody fusion implant between the distracted adjacent vertebrae.