VERTEBRAL JOINT IMPLANTS AND DELIVERY TOOLS

摘要

A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

主权项

1. A minimally invasive spinal facet implant system, comprising:
an implant configured for placement in a spinal facet joint space, the implant comprising a leading distal portion and a trailing proximal portion; a delivery device, comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular body extending between the proximal and distal end and forming a lumen, and an anchoring fork at the distal end; and a driver assembly, comprising an implant shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and implant holding arms disposed at the distal end of the implant shaft and configured to releasably hold the impant, wherein the implant shaft and implant holding arms are configured to extend through the lumen of the delivery device, wherein the delivery device and the driver assembly are configured such that, when the anchoring fork is positioned in the spinal facet joint space, the implant is positioned in the spinal facet joint space and is releasably coupled to the implant holding arms, and the implant shaft of the driver assembly extends through the lumen of the delivery device, the implant holding arms and the implant are positioned within the anchoring fork.