Facet joint implants and delivery tools

Abstract

A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a delivery device, a driver assembly, and an internal actuator, where the driver assembly is adapted to be hold an implant and be sleevably inserted into the delivery device and the internal actuator is adapted to advance an implant distractor to distract the implant, the system also including an implant, a chisel, an injector, a gripping tool, and a dilator set. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for distracting a facet joint of a spinal column, the method comprising:
 inserting an implant into the facet joint between opposing facet surfaces of two adjacent vertebrae of the spinal column; and   advancing at least a first screw through the implant at an angle and into a superior vertebra of the two adjacent vertebrae to connect the implant to a lateral mass of the superior vertebra.   
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 22 , further comprising advancing a second screw through the implant at a different angle and into an inferior vertebra of the two adjacent vertebrae to connect the implant to a lateral mass of the inferior vertebra. 
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 22 , wherein inserting the implant comprises inserting the implant from a posterior approach to the spinal column, advancing the implant in a posterior-to-anterior direction. 
     
     
         25 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the implant is wedge-shaped, and wherein inserting the implant comprises inserting a pointed end of the implant into the facet joint first. 
     
     
         26 . A method as in  claim 22 , further comprising preventing migration of the implant out of the facet joint using at least one feature on at least one surface of the implant, wherein the at least one feature is selected from the group consisting of teeth, spikes, cleats, surface roughening and keels. 
     
     
         27 . A method for distracting a facet joint of a spinal column, the method comprising:
 inserting an implant into the facet joint between opposing facet surfaces of two adjacent vertebrae of the spinal column; and   advancing at least a first screw through the implant at an angle and into an inferior vertebra of the two adjacent vertebrae to connect the implant to a lateral mass of the inferior vertebra.   
     
     
         28 . A method as in  claim 27 , further comprising advancing a second screw through the implant at a different angle and into a superior vertebra of the two adjacent vertebrae to connect the implant to a lateral mass of the superior vertebra. 
     
     
         29 . A method as in  claim 27 , wherein inserting the implant comprises inserting the implant from a posterior approach to the spinal column, advancing the implant in a posterior-to-anterior direction. 
     
     
         30 . A method as in  claim 29 , wherein the implant is wedge-shaped, and wherein inserting the implant comprises inserting a pointed end of the implant into the facet joint first. 
     
     
         31 . A method as in  claim 27 , further comprising preventing migration of the implant out of the facet joint using at least one feature on at least one surface of the implant, wherein the at least one feature is selected from the group consisting of teeth, spikes, cleats, surface roughening and keels.