Apparatus and method for anterior intervertebral spinal fixation and fusion

A method of using a fixation device between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:

• providing a fixation device, the fixation device comprising:
• a housing with a leading deep surface, a trailing outer surface, weight bearing sides, and top and bottom surfaces;
• a shaft running from the leading deep surface to the trailing outer surface of the housing;
• and
• a plurality of blades preloaded onto the shaft in the housing, at least one first blade having at least one cutting extension in a first orientation about the axis of the shaft and at least one second blade having at least one cutting extension in a second orientation about the axis of the shaft that is opposite to the first orientation;
• inserting the fixation device between the adjacent vertebrae;
• rotating each blade of the plurality of blades about the axis of the shaft in a direction in which the at least one cutting extension of each blade is oriented;
• and
• breaking an endplate of each vertebra with the at least one cutting extension of each blade, hooking into the vertebra and rigidly securing the vertebra to the device to prevent separation of the vertebra from the device during spinal motion.