Patent ID: 8162981

Claim:
A spinal facet fusion implant comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a transverse cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis disposed perpendicular to a transverse axis of said elongated body and a secondary axis disposed perpendicular to the primary axis and perpendicular to the transverse axis; at least one stabilizer formed integral with the elongated body and extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis, the at least one stabilizer extending along at least a portion of a length of the elongated body; wherein the elongated body has a dimension along the primary axis which is less than a combined width of opposing spinal facets that collectively form a facet joint, and wherein the elongated body has a dimension along the primary axis which is greater than a gap located between said opposing spinal facets, such that, when appropriate recesses are formed in the opposing spinal facets, the elongated body can be inserted between opposing spinal facets so that segments of the elongated body disposed along the primary axis can span said gap and sit in corresponding recesses formed in the opposing spinal facets; and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a dimension in a direction extending parallel to the primary axis which is sized to make a press fit into said gap.