Spinal fixation access and delivery system

Abstract

A spinal fixation access and delivery system is disclosed. In some aspects, the system is used to access the cervical facet joint via a posterior access approach. The system may include an access device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a chamfered or beveled end feature positioned at the distal portion of the body and configured for insertion at the cervical facet joint. The system may further include a guide device having access device engagement features and a spinal fixation member. The access device includes at least one guide device receiving feature complementary to or keyed to the engagement feature of the guide device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spinal joint access device for accessing a spinal joint via a posterior access approach, the device comprising
 a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; and   a chamfered or beveled end feature positioned at the distal portion of the body and configured for insertion at the spinal joint.   
     
     
         2 . The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamfered or beveled end feature is offset from the body. 
     
     
         3 . The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamfered or beveled end feature is positioned at an end of the distal portion. 
     
     
         4 . The access device of  claim 3 , wherein the body is an elongated tubular body. 
     
     
         5 . The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a rectangular shaped cross section 
     
     
         6 . The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion has a first height and the distal portion has a second height and the first height is greater than the second height. 
     
     
         7 . The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is an elongated tubular body. 
     
     
         8 . The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the spinal joint is a cervical facet joint. 
     
     
         9 . The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a stop adapted to abut an edge or posterior portion of the spinal joint. 
     
     
         10 . A spinal fixation access and delivery system for accessing the spinal joint via a posterior access approach, the system comprising:
 a spinal joint access device comprising:
 a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; and 
 a chamfered or beveled end feature positioned at the distal portion of the body and configured for insertion at the spinal joint. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising a decortication tool. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the decortication tool optionally includes a burr, a rasp or teeth. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the spinal joint is a cervical facet joint.