Patent ID: 8998905
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of surgically treating vertebrae comprising: separating vertebrae at one or more facet joints between articular processes of the vertebrae; introducing a leading end of an instrument into at least one of the one or more facet joints to remove tissue from one or more articular processes, the leading end and a trailing end, the instrument comprising a first cutting face and an opposite second cutting face extending between the leading and trailing ends, the leading end comprising a curved incline; advancing the instrument until a stop on the instrument terminates advancement of the instrument by contacting a vertebra, the stop extending from the first cutting face and the second cutting face being substantially free from having a stop; and placing an implant into one or more of the facet joints, wherein the act of placing an implant into one or more facet joints includes using a pusher instrument to advance the implant into at least one of the one or more facet joints, and wherein the act of placing an implant into one or more facet joints using a pusher instrument includes using a pusher instrument with a stop on the pusher instrument that terminates advancement at least in part by contacting a portion of a vertebra.