Facet fixation device

1. An implant assembly for stabilization of a spinal facet joint including an implant having a U-shaped body wherein the U-shaped body comprises a rounded front end, an open back end, a first elongated component, a second elongated component, the first elongated component and the second elongated component extending from the rounded front end forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end, and a helical structure extending within the U-shaped body;

wherein a length of the first elongated component is greater than a length of the second elongated component; and

wherein the helical structure comprises a coiled wire.

2. The implant assembly of claim 1 , wherein grooves or threads are introduced in the first elongated component and the second elongated component.

3. The implant assembly of claim 1 , wherein the helical structure locks the U-shaped body in place within a joint.

4. The implant assembly of claim 1 , wherein insertion of the U-shaped body distracts the facet joint.

5. The implant assembly of claim 4 , wherein biologically active materials meant to promote fusion can be inserted into a space created by the insertion of the implant assembly.

6. The implant assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises bilateral placement of two devices.

7. The implant assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assembly is used in conjunction with an additional intervertebral implant.

8. The implant assembly of claim 1 , wherein the helical structure comprises a unitary helical anchor, the unitary helical anchor comprising a leading edge with a first pitch and a trailing edge with a second pitch that locks the helical structure within the U-shaped body when the trailing edge is inserted into the U-shaped body.

9. The implant assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rounded front extends to a single apex that is offset from a centerline formed between the first elongated component and the second elongated component.

10. An implant assembly for stabilization of a spinal facet joint including an implant having a U-shaped body wherein the U-shaped body comprises a rounded front end, an open back end, a first elongated component, a second elongated component, the first elongated component and the second elongated component extending from the rounded front end forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end, and a helical structure extending within the U-shaped body;

wherein the rounded front extends to a single apex that is offset from a centerline formed between the first elongated component and the second elongated component; and

wherein the helical structure comprises a compressible coiled wire that forms an internal bore through the helical structure, the coiled wire comprising:

a leading edge with a first pitch, the first pitch corresponding to a pitch of the U-shaped body;

a trailing edge with a second pitch that is different than the first pitch and the pitch of the U-shaped body; and

wherein, upon insertion of the helical structure into the U-shaped body, the second pitch locks the helical structure within the U-shaped body by deforming the coiled wire.

11. The implant assembly of claim 10 , wherein grooves or threads are introduced in the first elongated component and the second elongated component.

12. The implant assembly of claim 10 , wherein the helical structure locks the U-shaped body in place within a joint.

13. The implant assembly of claim 10 , wherein insertion of the U-shaped body distracts the facet joint.

14. The implant assembly of claim 13 , wherein biologically active materials meant to promote fusion can be inserted into a space created by the insertion of the implant assembly.

15. The implant assembly of claim 10 , wherein the assembly comprises bilateral placement of two devices.

16. The implant assembly of claim 10 , wherein the assembly is used in conjunction with an additional intervertebral implant.

17. The implant assembly of claim 10 , wherein a length of the first elongated component is greater than a length of the second elongated component.