Surgical implant inserter compressor

A surgical implant inserter compressor for use with a surgical implant comprising at least a first plate and a second plate comprising:

• a first clamp having a first handle;
• a second clamp having a second handle pivotally coupled to said first handle at a fulcrum, at least one of said first clamp or said second clamp for holding at least a portion of said surgical implant;
• and
• a coupling for coupling said first and second handles to said first and second clamps such that said coupling permits said first and second clamps to move toward and away from each other along a generally linear common axis of movement and permits said first and second clamps to pivot or float when said first and second clamps drive said at least a portion of said surgical implant against at least one bone, thereby facilitating a distribution of a clamping force in response to an anatomy or shape of at least one bone to which said surgical implant is mounted;
• said first clamp comprising a first elongated member and a first clamp jaw and said second clamp comprising a second elongated member and a second clamp jaw;
• said first and second clamp jaws being adapted to receive and support said first plate and said second plate, respectively;
• said coupling being adapted to permit said first and second clamp jaws to move generally parallel toward each other when said first and second handles are actuated;
• wherein said coupling is also adapted to permit at least one of said first clamp jaw or said second clamp jaw to pivot with respect to said common axis prior to said first and second plates being mounted thereon and also in response to said first and second plates engaging at least one of a first spinous process or a second spinous process;
• said first and second clamp jaws lying in a first plane and a second plane, respectively, that are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to said generally linear common axis of movement when said first and second clamp jaws move towards and away from each other;
• wherein said first elongated member has a first elongated slot and said second elongated member has a second elongated slot, said first handle having an end pivotally coupled at a first pivot joint to said first elongated member and said second handle having an end pivotally coupled at a second pivot joint to said second elongated member;
• said coupling comprises a first coupler or fastener for securing to said first handle, said first coupler or fastener captured in said second elongated slot of said second elongated member, and a second coupler or fastener for securing to said second handle, said second coupler or fastener captured in said first elongated slot of said first elongated member, wherein said first and second couplers or fasteners cooperating with said first and second elongated slots to cause said first and second jaw members to remain generally parallel during clamping.