| CPC A61F 2/4465 (2013.01) [A61F 2/44 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30373 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30392 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30495 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30523 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30538 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30556 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30601 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3068 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30904 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3093 (2013.01); A61F 2/4603 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4638 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00017 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00023 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00029 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00179 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |

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1. A spinal fusion method comprising:
attaching an engagement portion of a surgical instrument to an aperture in an outer housing of a spinal fixation device, the surgical instrument having a channel extending therethrough and the housing coupled with an end plate assembly;
manipulating the surgical instrument to place the spinal fixation device between vertebral bodies;
moving at least one of a first and second elongate member each pivotably coupled to a first end plate of the end plate assembly such that the first end plate moves and engages one of the vertebral bodies, wherein the first elongate member receives a portion of the second elongate member;
moving one or both of the first and second elongate members to transition the first end plate from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation; and
removing the surgical instrument from engagement with the spinal fixation device.
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