US Patent:
20100191241, Jul 29, 2010
Inventors:
Bruce M. McCormack - San Francisco CA, US
Jeffrey D. Smith - Clayton CA, US
Shigeru Tanaka - Half Moon Bay CA, US
Edward Liou - Mountain View CA, US
Edward Fletcher Eyster - Deer Park CA, US
Jonathan Carver - San Francisco CA, US
Joshua Druker - Redwood City CA, US
Martin Leugers - San Francisco CA, US
Kurin Tu - San Mateo CA, US
Peter Lombrozo - Scotts Valley CA, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/00
A61B 17/56
A61F 2/44
US Classification:
606 83, 606 86 A, 606 90, 623 1711
Abstract:
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.