Patent ID: 8491585
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for laterally decompressing one or more spinal nerve(s) adjacent to a target facet joint in the lumbar spine of a patient, said method comprising: percutaneously positioning a tool guide through an access penetration to an anterior surface of the superior articular process of the facet joint, wherein percutaneously positioning comprises positioning a guide track having a base, the base having a width and a thickness, the width being wider than the thickness, the base having at least one rail on a posterior surface thereof, wherein the guide track is positioned with the base adjacent a disk so that the base protects the disk as a bone removal tool is advanced over the rail; advancing the bone removal tool over the tool guide through the access penetration, wherein the base of the guide track has two or more rails comprising at least a first and a second rail; wherein the step of advancing the bone removal tool includes: