Patent ID: 8961571
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of mounting an implant in a facet joint C1-C2 and L5-S1, the method comprising the steps of: (a) cutting an arthroscopic type portal in the tissue of a patient outside a diseased or damaged facet joint; (b) using a positioning selection tool to select an orientation of a plug to be implanted, the selected orientation including a plurality of prongs defining an orientation of the plug to be implanted; (c) placing an implantation guide in operative connection with the positioning selection tool; (d) while maintaining at least two distinct prongs of the selected orientation removing the positioning selection tool from operative connection with the implantation guide; (e) placing a cutting tool in operative connection with the implantation guide, and using operative connection between the cutting tool and implantation guide to form a shaped hole between two opposed bones forming the facet joint, the shaped hole having at least the two distinct prongs of orientation specified in step “d”; and (f) inserting a preshaped plug into the hole, the plug having a shape substantially the same as the hole.