Method of placing an implant between bone portions
AssigneeSpinal Elements, Inc.
InventorsJason Blain, Gregory Martin, Charles C. Newton, Hyun Bae
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for placing an implant between two bone portions are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises disposing a portion of a flexible member through a first bone portion, through an aperture in a trial implant, and through a second bone portion. The trial implant can be withdrawn to enable an implant to be coupled to the flexible member. The method includes applying tension to the flexible member to urge the implant into the space between two bone portions. In some embodiments, the two bone portions are facets.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- inserting a trial implant between articular processes of a facet joint;
- forming a lumen through the articular processes of the facet joint;
- inserting a portion of a flexible member through the lumen and the trial implant;
- withdrawing the trial implant and the flexible member from between the articular processes of the facet joint;
- coupling an implant with the flexible member, wherein the implant comprises an allograft;
- and
- advancing the implant between the articular processes of the facet joint.
A method comprising:
- inserting a trial implant of a trial member into a facet joint space of a facet joint;
- forming a lumen through a portion of the facet joint;
- inserting a portion of a flexible member through the lumen and the trial implant;
- withdrawing the trial implant and the flexible member from the facet joint space;
- and
- disassembling the trial member to disengage the trial implant from the flexible member.
A method comprising:
- inserting a trial implant between a first bone portion and a second bone portion;
- forming a first lumen with a drill bit through the first bone portion;
- extending the drill bit through an aperture of the trial implant;
- forming a second lumen with the drill bit through the second bone portion;
- and
- inserting a flexible member through the first lumen in the first bone portion, through the trial implant, and through the second lumen in the second bone portion, wherein the flexible member is removed after insertion of a band through the first lumen in the first bone portion and through the second lumen in the second bone portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.