A system for effecting spinal facet fusion, the system comprising:
- 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 being characterized by a superior body surface and an inferior body surface;
- a superior stabilizer extending outwardly from the superior body surface, the superior stabilizer being characterized by a superior stabilizer surface;
- and
- an inferior stabilizer extending outwardly from the inferior body surface, the inferior stabilizer being characterized by an inferior stabilizer surface;
- wherein (i) the superior body surface and the inferior body surface are tapered relative to one another, and/or (ii) the superior stabilizer surface and the inferior stabilizer surface are tapered relative to one another;
- wherein the elongated body comprises a proximal end surface, the superior stabilizer comprises a proximal end surface, and the inferior stabilizer comprises a proximal end surface, and further wherein the proximal end surface of the elongated body, the proximal end surface of the superior stabilizer, and the proximal end surface of the inferior stabilizer are all co-planar;
- a drill guide/cannula for preparing the anatomy to receive the spinal facet fusion implant and for delivering the spinal facet fusion implant to the anatomy, the drill guide/cannula comprising:
- a body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal end of the body being configured for engaging a gap between a descending facet of a first vertebra and an ascending facet of a second vertebra;
- a central lumen extending between the distal end of the body and the proximal end of the body, the central lumen having a cross-sectional profile which matches the cross-sectional profile of the spinal facet fusion implant such that the spinal facet fusion implant can be introduced into the proximal end of the central lumen, advanced distally along the central lumen, and advanced distally out of the distal end of the central lumen and into the gap between the descending facet of the first vertebra and the ascending facet of the second vertebra;
- a first drill guide angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the central lumen, the first drill guide being configured to receive a drill therein so as to drill a first seat in the descending facet of the first vertebra;
- a second drill guide angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the central lumen, the second drill guide being configured to receive a drill therein so as to drill a second seat in the ascending facet of the second vertebra;
- wherein the first seat in the descending facet of the first vertebra is sized and angled so as to receive the superior stabilizer of the spinal facet fusion implant when the spinal facet fusion implant is advanced into the gap between the first vertebra and the second vertebra;
- and
- wherein the second seat in the ascending facet of the second vertebra is sized and angled so as to receive the inferior stabilizer of the spinal facet fusion implant when the spinal facet fusion implant is advanced into the gap between the first vertebra and the second vertebra.