Method and device for treating scoliosis

• US 20020151895A1
• Filed: 02/15/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Spine LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Spine LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Borschneck, Daniel P., Saunders, Gerald A.B., Soboleski, Donald A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,371,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30522 releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0007 for adjusting length

Abstract

This invention relates to a spinal facet cap for treating scoliosis, the facet cap comprising a shim portion for inserting into a facet joint of a spine, and an alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the shim portion within the facet joint. The invention also provides a method for treating scoliosis, comprising implanting at least one spinal facet cap into at least one facet joint of a subject in need thereof.

Claims

1. A spinal facet cap for treating scoliosis, comprising a shim portion for inserting into a facet joint of a spine, and an alignment portion for maintaining alignment of said shim portion within said facet joint.

2. The spinal facet cap of claim 1, wherein the shim portion comprises two opposed surfaces for engaging articular surfaces of the facet joint.

3. The spinal facet cap of claim 2, wherein at least one of the opposed surfaces is planar.

4. The spinal facet cap of claim 2, wherein both of the opposed surfaces are planar.

5. The spinal facet cap of claim 1, wherein the shim portion is of substantially uniform thickness.

6. The spinal facet cap of claim 1, wherein the shim portion is wedge-shaped.

7. The spinal facet cap of claim 2, wherein at least one of the opposed surfaces is concave.

8. The spinal facet cap of claim 7, wherein the shim is wedge-shaped.

9. The spinal facet cap of claim 1, wherein the alignment portion alignment comprises a tongue.

10. The spinal facet cap of claim 9, wherein the tongue is provided with an orifice.

11. The spinal facet cap of claim 1, wherein the alignment portion comprises a boss along at least one edge of the shim portion.

12. The spinal facet cap of claim 1, wherein the alignment portion comprises at least one facet hook disposed along at least one edge of the shim portion, for receiving either one of the superior facet or the inferior facet of a vertebra.

13. The spinal facet cap of claim 1, wherein the alignment portion comprises two facet hooks disposed along two edges of the shim portion, one said facet hook for receiving the superior facet of a first vertebra, a second said facet hook for receiving the inferior facet of a second vertebra.

14. The spinal facet cap of claim 13, wherein said shim portion is wedge-shaped.

15. The spinal facet cap of claim 13, wherein the alignment portion further comprises a tongue having an orifice.

16. The spinal facet cap of claim 6, wherein the thickness of said wedge-shaped shim portion is adjustable.

17. The spinal facet cap of claim 13, wherein the relative distance between facet hooks is adjustable.

18. The spinal facet cap of claim 14, wherein the thickness of said wedge-shaped shim portion is adjustable.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a spinal facet cap is implanted in each of two or more facet joints of the subject, such that scoliosis in the subject is treated.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising evaluating the subject for the number, size, shape, location, and placement of spinal facet caps required to treat scoliosis in the subject.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein an imaging system is used to evaluate the subject.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the imaging system is selected from computed tomography (CT), radiography, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the alignment portion comprises at least one facet hook disposed along at least one edge of the shim portion, for receiving either one of the superior facet or the inferior facet of a vertebra.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the alignment portion comprises two facet hooks disposed along two edges of the shim portion, one said facet hook for receiving the superior facet of a first vertebra, a second said facet hook for receiving the inferior facet of a second vertebra.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the alignment portion further comprises a tongue having an orifice.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the shim portion is wedge-shaped.

19. A method for treating scoliosis in a subject in need thereof comprising implanting in a facet joint of the subject a spinal facet cap, said spinal facet cap comprising a shim portion and an alignment portion, such that scoliosis in the subject is treated.