Abstract: A distally expanding facet joint implant and delivery device for distally distracting a facet joint. The facet joint implant generally includes an outer part and an inner part. The outer part includes a pair of opposed distally expandable facet plates connected by a hinge. The inner part includes a wedge that is selectively movable against the facet plates to distally expand and contract the facet joint implant into open and closed states. Teeth on the outer part engage indents on the inner part to maintain the facet joint implant in the distally expanded state. The outer and inner parts include outer and inner connectors, and the delivery device includes corresponding outer and inner connectors adapted to be in locked engagement with the outer and inner connectors to hold the implant and selectively cause it to distally expand and contract.

Abstract: A distally expanding facet joint implant and delivery device for distally distracting a facet joint. The facet joint implant generally includes an outer part and an inner part. The outer part includes a pair of opposed distally expandable facet plates connected by a hinge. The inner part includes a wedge that is selectively movable against the facet plates to distally expand and contract the facet joint implant into open and closed states. Teeth on the outer part engage indents on the inner part to maintain the facet joint implant in the distally expanded state. The outer and inner parts include outer and inner connectors, and the delivery device includes corresponding outer and inner connectors adapted to be in locked engagement with the outer and inner connectors to hold the implant and selectively cause it to distally expand and contract.

Abstract: A distally expanding facet joint implant and delivery device for distally distracting a facet joint. The facet joint implant generally includes an outer part and an inner part. The outer part includes a pair of opposed distally expandable facet plates connected by a hinge. The inner part includes a wedge that is selectively movable against the facet plates to distally expand and contract the facet joint implant into open and closed states. Teeth on the outer part engage indents on the inner part to maintain the facet joint implant in the distally expanded state. The outer and inner parts include outer and inner connectors, and the delivery device includes corresponding outer and inner connectors adapted to be in locked engagement with the outer and inner connectors to hold the implant and selectively cause it to distally expand and contract.

Abstract: A distally expanding facet joint implant and delivery device for distally distracting a facet joint. The facet joint implant generally includes an outer part and an inner part. The outer part includes a pair of opposed distally expandable facet plates connected by a hinge. The inner part includes a wedge that is selectively movable against the facet plates to distally expand and contract the facet joint implant into open and closed states. Teeth on the outer part engage indents on the inner part to maintain the facet joint implant in the distally expanded state. The outer and inner parts include outer and inner connectors, and the delivery device includes corresponding outer and inner connectors adapted to be in locked engagement with the outer and inner connectors to hold the implant and selectively cause it to distally expand and contract.

Abstract: A distally expanding facet implant with integrated plate and delivery device for distracting a cervical intervertebral facet joint to treat symptoms of degenerative processes of the cervical spine, including widening the intervertebral space and foramina while maintaining or restoring natural lordosis and preventing kyphosis. The distally expanding facet implant with integrated plate and delivery device generally includes opposed plates having distal and proximal ends, a diverting member having a stationary component and a moveable component comprising a diverting nut with a substantially fusiform cross-section between the plates, and a driving member comprising an elongated screw rotationally coupled with the moveable component. Rotation of the screw causes an engagement surface of the diverting nut to slide against a complementary engagement surface of the stationary component.

Abstract: A distally expanding facet implant with integrated plate and delivery device for distracting a cervical intervertebral facet joint to treat symptoms of degenerative processes of the cervical spine, including widening the intervertebral space and foramina while maintaining or restoring natural lordosis and preventing kyphosis. The distally expanding facet implant with integrated plate and delivery device generally includes opposed plates having distal and proximal ends, a diverting member having a stationary component and a moveable component comprising a diverting nut with a substantially fusiform cross-section between the plates, and a driving member comprising an elongated screw rotationally coupled with the moveable component. Rotation of the screw causes an engagement surface of the diverting nut to slide against a complementary engagement surface of the stationary component.