Facet joint implants and delivery tools

Abstract

A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a delivery device, a driver assembly, and an internal actuator, where the driver assembly is adapted to be hold an implant and be sleevably inserted into the delivery device and the internal actuator is adapted to advance an implant distractor to distract the implant, the system also including an implant, a chisel, an injector, a gripping tool, and a dilator set. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spinal implant comprising:
 an first member and a second member each comprising a distal end, the distal end of the first member coupled to the distal end of the second member via an interlocking scissor feature positioned near the distal end of each member, the first member further comprising an inner surface, an outer surface and a threaded slot passing through the first member from the inner surface to the outer surface; and   an implant distractor comprising a thread feature, the implant distractor adapted to be advanced between the first and second members and separate the first and second members such that the upper and lower members hinge relative to one another about the interlocking scissor feature,   wherein the threaded slot is adapted to receive the thread feature, the threaded slot comprises a truncated threaded slot and the implant distractor comprises a cross-cut thread, and the cross-cut thread being engaged with the truncated threaded slot helps to resist the implant distractor from backing out from between the first and second members.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member or the second member comprises at least one lateral edge and a plurality of teeth spaced along the at least one lateral edge. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of at least one of the first member or second member comprises a guide feature for receiving and guiding the implant distractor between the first and second members when the implant distractor is initially beginning to be advanced between the first and second members. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a weld extending on at least a portion of the interlocking scissor feature. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant distractor is advanced between the first and second members via a threading action between the threaded feature and threaded slot. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the thread feature is received by the threaded slot such that at least a portion of the thread feature projects through the threaded slot and outwardly past the outer surface of the first member. 
     
     
         7 . A spinal implant comprising:
 a first member and a second member each comprising: a distal end, a proximal end generally opposite the distal end; an inner surface; and an outer surface; the first member further comprising a threaded slot arrangement passing through the first member from the inner surface of the first member to the outer surface of the first member, the threaded slot arrangement comprising a truncated slot passing through the first member from the inner surface of the first member to the outer surface of the first member, the first member and second member being coupled together via an interlocking scissor feature positioned near the distal ends of the first and second members; and   an implant distractor comprising: a longitudinal body tapering to a distal termination; and a coil shaped thread feature extending along the longitudinal body and being interrupted by at least one cross-cut,   wherein the upper and lower members are configured to hinge relative to each other about the interlocking scissor feature upon the implant distractor being distally inserted between the first and second members, the threaded slot arrangement of the first member is adapted to threadably receive the coil shaped thread feature of the implant distractor, and the truncated slot is adapted to engage the cross-cut of the coil shaped thread feature.   
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 7 , wherein the proximal end of the first member or the second member comprises a guide feature adapted to receive and guide the distal termination of the implant distractor between the first and second members. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the guide feature comprises a half-conical feature. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 7 , further comprising a weld extending on at least a portion of the interlocking scissor feature. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first member or the second member comprises at least one lateral edge and a plurality of teeth spaced along the at least one lateral edge. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 7 , wherein the cross-cut being engaged with the truncated slot helps to resist the implant distractor from backing out from between the first and second members. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 7 , wherein the implant distractor is advanced between the first and second members via a threading action between the coil shaped thread feature and threaded slot arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 7 , wherein the coil shaped thread feature is received by the threaded slot arrangement such that at least a portion of the coil shaped thread feature projects through the threaded slot arrangement and outwardly past the outer surface of the first member. 
     
     
         15 . A spinal implant comprising:
 a first member comprising a first distal end, a first proximal end opposite the first distal end, an inner surface, an outer surface on a side of the first member opposite the inner surface, and at least one slot defined in the inner surface of the first member, wherein the inner and outer surfaces are located between the first distal end and the first proximal end, and the at least one slot comprises a truncated slot;   a second member comprising a second distal end and a second proximal end opposite the second distal end, wherein the first distal end is coupled to the second distal end via an interlocking scissor feature positioned near the first and second distal ends; and   an implant distractor comprising a thread feature comprising a cross-cut portion, the implant distractor adapted to be advanced between the first and second members, the advancement being at least assisted by the thread feature being threadably received in the at least one slot, the advancement of the implant distractor between the first and second members causing the first and second members to hinge relative to each other about the interlocking scissor feature,   wherein the truncated slot is adapted to receive the cross-cut portion of the thread feature, thereby helping to resist the implant distractor from backing out from between the first and second members.   
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one slot passes through the first member from the inner surface to the outer surface. 
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one thread feature being threadably received in the at least one slot results in at least a portion of the thread feature protruding through the at least one slot outward past the outer surface. 
     
     
         18 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second members hinging relative to each other about the interlocking scissor feature results in increasing separation between the first and second proximal ends. 
     
     
         19 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein at least on one of the first member and the second member comprises at least one lateral edge and a plurality of teeth spaced along the at least one lateral edge. 
     
     
         20 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first member or second member comprises a guide feature for receiving and guiding the implant distractor between the first and second members when the implant distractor is initially beginning to be advanced between the first and second members. 
     
     
         21 . The implant of  claim 15 , further comprising a weld extending on at least a portion of the interlocking scissor feature.