Patent ID: 8663293

Claim:
A system for treating a facet joint of a patient, wherein the facet joint includes a superior articular face and an inferior articular face, wherein the system comprises: an implant that is positionable between the superior articular face of the facet joint and the inferior articular face of the facet joint, wherein the implant comprises a first engagement feature; an implant insertion tool that comprises a second engagement feature that is capable of mating with the first engagement feature and wherein a force to separate the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature after mating is at least 1 Newton; a delivery cannula having an internal passage extending through a distal end thereof, wherein the delivery cannula passage is adapted to receive at least a portion of the implant and the implant insertion tool, wherein the delivery cannula comprises a pair of leaflets that extend from a distal end thereof, wherein the leaflets are configured, respectively, to be positioned between the implant and the superior articular face, and the implant and the inferior articular face, wherein the leaflets are fabricated from a resilient material and wherein the implant insertion tool has a length that is greater than the length of the guide cannula; and a guide cannula having an internal passage extending therethrough, wherein the guide cannula passage is adapted to receive the delivery cannula.