Patent ID: 8425530
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for sizing a facet joint in order to select a facet joint implant for implanting in the facet joint, the apparatus comprising: a handle; an interfacet sizer having a proximal end and a distal end with an upper concave surface and an opposing lower convex surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the upper convex surface and lower convex surface tapering toward each other and having a rounded distal end, the interfacet sizer connected with the handle at the proximal end; and a stop extending from the concave surface at the proximal end of the interfacet sizer, the stop adapted to prevent over-insertion of the interfacet sizer during sizing, wherein the interfacet sizer is angled obliquely from a longitudinal axis of the handle and sized to fit between an inferior facet of an upper vertebra of the facet joint and a superior facet of a lower vertebra of the facet joint.