Patent ID: 8425558

Claim:
A spinal distraction implant for the distraction of a facet joint having articular surfaces, the implant comprising: a first member comprising a first slot passing through the entire thickness of the first member adapted to receive a thread feature and a plurality of teeth spaced along two parallel lateral edges; a second member, arranged in an opposing position to the first member, comprising a second slot passing through the entire thickness of the second member adapted to receive the thread feature and a plurality of teeth spaced along two parallel lateral edges, the teeth of the first member and the second member adapted to engage the articular surfaces of the facet joint; and a screw comprising the thread feature, the thread feature configured to project through the first slot of the first member and the second slot of the second member when the screw is positioned between the first member and the second member, wherein, the implant is constructed from a malleable material and is further adapted to conform to the shape of the articular surfaces upon being distracted within a facet joint when the screw is positioned between the first member and the second member.