Zero-profile interbody spacer and coupled plate assembly

An implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between superior and inferior vertebral bodies, the implant comprising:

• first and second bone fixation elements;
• a spacer portion including a top surface for contacting the superior vertebral body, a bottom surface for contacting the inferior vertebral body, a first side surface, a second side surface, a leading surface and a trailing surface;
• a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, the plate portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a leading surface and a trailing surface, the plate portion further including first and second bone fixation holes and first and second boreholes, the first and second bone fixation holes sized and adapted for receiving the first and second bone fixation elements, respectively, the first bone fixation hole being angled so that the first bone fixation element engages the superior vertebral body, the second bone fixation hole being angled so that the second bone fixation element engages the inferior vertebral body, the first borehole being in communication with the first bone fixation hole, the second borehole being in communication with the second bone fixation hole;
• and
• first and second spring-biased snapper elements for preventing the first and second bone fixation elements, respectively, from backing-out, the first spring biased snapper element being located in the first borehole, the second spring biased snapper elements being located in the second borehole, the first and second spring biased snapper elements being moveable from a first position to a second position, in the first position, at least a portion of the first and second snapper elements protrude into the first and second bone fixation holes, respectively, so that once the first and second bone fixation elements are inserted into the first and second bone fixation holes, respectively, the first and second snapper elements at least partially cover the first and second bone fixation elements, respectively, to prevent backing-out, the first and second spring biased snapper elements being biased to the first position.