Patent ID: 9622873
Date: 2017-04-18
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61F

Claim:
1. A method of implanting an implant in a facet joint comprising an inferior articulating surface of an upper vertebra and a superior articulating surface of a lower vertebra, the method comprising: minimally invasively accessing the cervical facet joint with a guide tool by inserting a distal end of the guide tool into the facet joint; minimally invasively routing an implant into the facet joint by routing the implant and a delivery tool along the guide tool, the implant operably coupled to a distal end of the delivery tool, the implant comprising a first wall and a second wall, each of the first and second walls having at least a first portion and a second portion, respectively, wherein the respective first portions of the walls are parallel to one another and the respective second portions of the walls are tapered towards either a proximal end or a distal end of the implant; and advancing the implant with the delivery tool into the facet joint, thereby causing at least one wall to act against the inferior articulating surface and at least one other wall to act against the superior articulating surface.