Patent ID: 7780670
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of changing a spatial relationship between first and second bones which are interconnected at a joint in a patient's body, said method comprising the steps of providing a rigid wedge member having a concave bone-contacting surface, forming an opening in a portion of the patient's body to expose the joint interconnecting the first and second bones, moving the second bone relative to the first bone, said step of moving the second bone relative to the first bone includes expanding at least a portion of the joint interconnecting the first and second bones by inserting the wedge member in the joint and applying force against at least one of the first and second bones with the concave bone-contacting surface of the wedge member, closing the opening in the patient's body with at least a portion of the wedge member disposed between the first and second bones at the joint interconnecting the first and second bones, and, thereafter, transmitting force between the first and second bones through the wedge member to maintain the joint in the expanded condition.