Patent ID: 8986355
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A facet fusion implant comprising: an implant body elongate along a central axis, the implant body including a head portion disposed at a proximal end of the implant body, and a shaft portion that extends from the head portion toward a distal end of the implant body in a distal direction along the central axis, the head portion defining a head cross-sectional dimension that is perpendicular to the central axis, the shaft portion defining a plurality of thread peaks and valleys, and a minimum cross-sectional dimension that is aligned with the respective valley and is perpendicular to the central axis, wherein the head cross-sectional dimension does not exceed the minimum cross-sectional dimension, the shaft portion further defining a thread proximal face that extends from a respective peak to the respective valley at a location on the shaft portion that defines the minimum-cross-sectional dimension is aligned with respective valley, and a thread distal face that is opposite the thread proximal face along the central axis such that the thread proximal face faces the proximal end, wherein the thread proximal face defines a first radius of curvature, and the thread distal face defines a second radius of curvature that is greater than the first radius of curvature; and an engaging element carried by the head portion, the engaging element configured to engage with a complementary insertion instrument configured to insert the facet fusion implant into the facet joint between the first and second vertebral articulation surfaces.