Spinal facet fixation device
First Claim
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1. A spinal facet fixation device comprising a base, at least two jaws, each pivotally connected to the base, and a mechanism for drawing the jaws together around a pair of spinal facets.
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Abstract
A spinal facet fixation device includes a pair of jaws hinged on a common base. A threaded actuator bears against a cam surface on the jaws to draw the points of the jaws together. A surgeon applies the opposed points to respective facets of vertebral elements, and then tightens the actuator to draw the facets together. A spinal facet staple, and method of use, are also disclosed.
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10 Claims
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1. A spinal facet fixation device comprising
a base, at least two jaws, each pivotally connected to the base, and a mechanism for drawing the jaws together around a pair of spinal facets.
- 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein each of the jaws has a cam surface thereon.
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8. The invention of claim 1, wherein each of the jaws has at least finger terminating at a pointed tip.
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8-1. A method of fixing adjacent spinal facets comprises steps of
introducing into a space around said facets a tool having a pair of opposed hinged jaws and a mechanism for drawing the jaws together, and closing the jaws around the facets.
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9. The invention of claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaws has at least two fingers each terminating at a pointed tip.
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9-2. A method of fixing adjacent spinal facets comprises steps of
introducing into a space around said facets a spinal facet staple having a pair of opposed arms with pointed tips, engaging the tips on respective neighboring facets, and crimping the staple to draw the facets together.
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10. A spinal staple comprising
a center portion, opposed arms extending from opposite ends of the center portion and having sharp tips, each of said arms having an elbow having an obtuse angle, the obtuse angles of the elbows facing one another, and wherein the tips are directed along axes which, if extended, would intersect
Specification