Percutaneous facet fixation system

Abstract

Percutaneous facet fixation implants. In some embodiments, the implant may comprise fasteners and/or fastener portions configured to be coupled on opposite sides of a facet joint such that a portion of one fastener is configured to be positioned adjacent to one of a superior articular process and an inferior articular process of a facet joint and a portion of another fastener is configured to be positioned adjacent to one of the other of an inferior articular process and a superior articular process of the facet joint so as to engage a surface of the respective articular process. In some embodiments, one or both of the fasteners may be configured to couple with an arm of a facet gun instrument.

1 . An implant for fusing a facet joint, comprising:
 a first fastener portion; and   a second fastener portion configured to be connected with the first fastener portion on opposite sides of a facet joint such that a portion of the first fastener portion is configured to be positioned adjacent to one of a superior articular process and an inferior articular process of the facet joint and a portion of the second fastener portion is configured to be positioned adjacent to one of the other of an inferior articular process and a superior articular process of the facet joint so as to engage a surface of the respective articular process, and wherein a surface of at least one of the first and second fastener portions, in an unassembled configuration, is contoured to match a surface of one of the inferior articular process and the superior articular process.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener portion comprises a head. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 2 , wherein the first fastener portion further comprises a first washer, wherein the head of the first fastener portion is configured to be received in the first washer in an assembled configuration, and wherein a bottom surface of the first washer, in an unassembled configuration, is contoured to match a surface of one of the inferior articular process and the superior articular process. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein the first washer comprises an unthreaded washer. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein the first washer comprises a plurality of fixation spikes. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener portion comprises a facet bolt. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 6 , wherein the second fastener portion comprises a deep locking nut. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a facet bolt. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the facet bolt is configured to couple the first fastener portion with the second fastener portion. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the second fastener portion comprises a plurality of bone fixation spikes. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of each of the first and second fastener portions, in an unassembled configuration, is contoured to match a surface of one of the inferior articular process and the superior articular process. 
     
     
         12 . An implant for fusing a facet joint, comprising:
 a first fastener configured to be coupled with a first arm of a facet gun;   a second fastener configured to be coupled with a second arm of the facet gun; and   a facet bolt configured to couple with the first and second fasteners, wherein the facet bolt is configured to receive a guidewire therethrough, and wherein the facet bolt is further configured to couple the first and second fasteners on opposite sides of a facet joint such that the first fastener is configured to be positioned adjacent to one of a superior articular process and an inferior articular process of a facet joint and the second fastener is configured to be positioned adjacent to one of the other of an inferior articular process and a superior articular process of the facet joint so as to engage a surface of the respective articular process.   
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 12 , wherein the facet bolt comprises a head and a shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second fasteners each comprise at least one of a nut and a washer. 
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second fasteners comprises an integral portion of the facet bolt. 
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 12 , wherein a surface of at least one of the first and second fasteners, in an unassembled configuration, is contoured to match a surface of one of the inferior articular process and the superior articular process 
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 16 , wherein a surface of each of the first and second fasteners, in an unassembled configuration, is contoured to match a surface of one of the inferior articular process and the superior articular process. 
     
     
         18 . The implant of  claim 12 , further comprising a first washer configured to engage a surface of one of the inferior articular process and the superior articular process on a first surface of the first washer, wherein the first washer is configured to engage at least one of the first and second fasteners on a second surface of the first washer opposite from the first surface. 
     
     
         19 . The implant of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second fasteners is at least substantially wedge-shaped. 
     
     
         20 . The implant of  claim 12 , wherein both of the first and second fasteners are at least substantially wedge-shaped.