Enhanced Cage Insertion Assembly

An intervertebral assembly, comprising:

• a fusion device having an upper surface, a lower surface disposed such that the upper and lower surfaces are spaced from each other along a vertical direction, an insertion nose, a proximal end portion that is spaced from the insertion nose in a proximal direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction, and opposed sidewalls that are disposed between the insertion nose and the proximal end portion;
• an upper leaf disposed at least partially above the upper surface of the fusion device, the upper leaf having a distal end, wherein the upper leaf is pivotable with respect to the upper surface about a hinge that is offset from the distal end of the upper leaf in the proximal direction;
• a lower leaf disposed at least partially below the lower surface, the lower leaf having a distal end, wherein the lower leaf is pivotable with respect to the lower surface about a hinge that is offset from the distal end of the lower leaf in the proximal direction;
• and
• a shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion attached to the proximal end portion of the fusion device;
• wherein the intervertebral assembly is movable between a closed arrangement whereby the distal ends of the upper and lower leaves are spaced apart a first distance along the vertical direction, and an open arrangement whereby the distal ends of the upper and lower leaves are spaced apart a second distance greater than the first distance along the vertical direction.

An intervertebral assembly, comprising:

• a fusion device having an upper surface, a lower surface disposed such that the upper and lower surfaces are spaced from each other along a vertical direction, an insertion nose, a proximal end portion that is configured to attach to a shaft and is spaced from the insertion nose in a proximal direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction, and opposed sidewalls that are disposed between the insertion nose and the proximal end portion;
• a plurality of leaves each having a respective distal end, wherein each of the leaves is pivotable with respect to the fusion device about a hinge that is offset from the respective distal end in the proximal direction;
• wherein the intervertebral assembly is movable between a closed arrangement whereby the respective distal ends of an opposed pair of the plurality of leaves are spaced apart a first distance along the vertical direction, and an open arrangement whereby the respective distal ends of the opposed pair of the plurality of leaves are spaced apart a second distance greater than the first distance along the vertical direction.
• wherein when the intervertebral assembly is in the closed arrangement, the opposed pair of the leaves surround the upper and lower surfaces of the fusion device.