METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STABILIZATION OF FACET JOINT

摘要

The current invention is directed to a method, system and apparatus for stabilizing a facet joint. The method includes angling a screw from a ventral and a lateral side of the spine toward a dorsal and medial side of the spine, and screwing the screw through a superior facet (122) of an inferior vertebra (124) and into an inferior facet (114) of a superior vertebra (118). The system includes a screwdriver (200) insertable into a surgical opening, a screw (110) coupled to the screwdriver and a torque transmitter (308) coupled to and rotatable with a head (204) on the screwdriver. The system also includes a facet screw (700) having a self-tapping point (710), an ellipsoidal shaft (716) with progressively spaced threads (712), and a bulbous head (714). The system also includes a cutter (800) having a narrow, longitudinal shaft (820) with a two-handle closing mechanism (810, 812). Another embodiment of a cutter replaces the two-handle closing mechanism with a ratchet mechanism.