Patent ID: 9017389
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of treating a facet joint of a patient, wherein the facet joint comprises a superior facet having superior articular face and an inferior facet having an inferior articular face and wherein the method comprises: providing an implant comprising a superior resurfacing body and an inferior resurfacing body, wherein the superior resurfacing body and the inferior resurfacing body each comprise an articulating surface and an engagement surface on opposite sides thereof, wherein the articulating surface is substantially smooth, wherein the engagement surface has a plurality of teeth extending therefrom and wherein the superior and inferior resurfacing bodies each have a leading end, a trailing end, a first opposing side that extends between the leading end and the trailing end and a second opposing side that extends between the leading end and the trailing end opposite the first opposing side and wherein the plurality of teeth comprise: extending a distal end of an implant delivery cannula between the superior and inferior articular faces, wherein the implant delivery cannula has a channel extending therethrough; orienting the articulating surfaces on the superior resurfacing body and the inferior resurfacing body towards each other; moving the superior resurfacing body and the inferior resurfacing body through the channel until the superior resurfacing body and the inferior resurfacing body are at least partially between the superior and inferior articular faces while at least a portion of the superior resurfacing body and the inferior resurfacing body are within the channel; and moving the implant delivery cannula away from the superior and inferior articular faces so that the engagement surface on the superior resurfacing body is adjacent the superior articular face and the engagement surface on the inferior resurfacing body is adjacent the inferior articular face, wherein the superior resurfacing body and the inferior resurfacing body are in an adjacent relationship and wherein the plurality of teeth on the superior and inferior resurfacing bodies extend into the superior and inferior articular faces, respectively.