Patent ID: 8500814
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for placement of an orthopedic implant into a target inter-vertebral disc space of a target intervertebral disc space, a first vertebral bone and a second adjacent vertebral bone of the spinal column forming a border of the target intervertebral disc space, and an ipsilateral facet joint and a contralateral facet joint forming an articulation between the first and second vertebral bones, the ipsilateral and contralateral facet joints each being comprised of a superior and an inferior articular process, the method comprising: approaching a posterior aspect of the spinal column; positioning an orthopedic implant having a first end and an opposing second end such that the first end of the orthopedic implant is configured to face the target intervertebral disc space, the implant comprising a first member having a bone abutment surface and an opposing surface, and a second member having a bone abutment surface and an opposing surface configured to form a movable ball-in-socket articulation with the opposing surface of the first member; and moving the first member relative to the second member about the ball-in-socket articulation, thereby causing a first distance between the bone abutment surfaces of each of the first and second members when measured at the first end to be smaller than the distance between the bone abutment surfaces prior to the movement of the first member, and a second distance between the bone abutment surface of each of the first and second members when measured at the second end to be of the same or less than the second distance between the bone abutment surfaces prior to the movement of the first member.