Patent ID: 9233006
Filing Date: 2016-01-12
CPC Classification: A61F

Claim Text:
1. A facet implant system for implanting between a superior facet and an inferior facet, wherein the facet implant system comprises: a first conformable facet implant component comprising a first articulating surface and a first engagement surface located opposite the first articulating surface, wherein the first conformable facet implant component has a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the first conformable facet implant component comprises teeth that extend from the first engagement surface, wherein the first conformable facet implant component has an insertion axis that extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge, wherein the teeth are arranged in a plurality of rows that are oriented generally transverse to the insertion axis, wherein teeth in adjacent rows are offset from each other in a direction that is generally transverse to the insertion axis such that any axis parallel with the insertion axis will not fall through the center of two teeth in the adjacent rows and wherein the offset teeth enhance a conformability of the first conformable facet implant as compared to a conformable facet implant where teeth in adjacent rows are aligned with each other; and a second conformable facet implant component having a second articulating surface and a second engagement surface located opposite the second articulating surface, wherein the second conformable facet implant component has a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the second conformable facet implant component comprises teeth that extend from the second engagement surface, wherein the second conformable facet implant component has an insertion axis that extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge, wherein the teeth are arranged in a plurality of rows that are oriented generally transverse to the insertion axis, wherein teeth in adjacent rows are offset from each other in a direction that is generally transverse to the insertion axis such that any axis parallel with the insertion axis will not fall through the center of two teeth in the adjacent rows and wherein the offset teeth enhance a conformability of the second conformable facet implant as compared to a conformable facet implant where teeth in adjacent rows are aligned with each other.