Method and apparatus for stabilization of facet joint
First Claim
1. A method of stabilizing a superior facet of an inferior vertebra to an inferior facet of a superior vertebra in a spine, the method comprising:
- angling the screw from a substantially lateral side of said spine toward a dorsal and medial side of said spine; and
screwing the screw through said superior facet and into said inferior facet.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The current invention is directed to a method, system and apparatus for stabilizing a facet joint. One embodiment of a method according to the current invention includes angling a screw from a ventral and a lateral side of the spine toward a dorsal and medial side of the spine, and screwing the screw through a superior facet of an inferior vertebra and into an inferior facet of a superior vertebra. One embodiment of a system according to the present invention includes a screwdriver insertable into a surgical opening, a screw coupled to the screwdriver and a torque transmitter coupled to and rotatable with a head on the screwdriver. An embodiment of a screwdriver according to the invention includes a handle and a head projecting at an obtuse angle from the handle. The head in this embodiment is coupled to and rotatable with a torque transmitter. An embodiment of a facet screw according to the invention includes a sharp and self-tapping point, an ellipsoidal shaft with progressively spaced threads, and a bulbous screw head. An embodiment of a cutter according to the invention includes a narrow, longitudinal shaft with a two-handle closing mechanism. Another embodiment of a cutter replaces the two-handle closing mechanism with a ratchet mechanism.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of stabilizing a superior facet of an inferior vertebra to an inferior facet of a superior vertebra in a spine, the method comprising:
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angling the screw from a substantially lateral side of said spine toward a dorsal and medial side of said spine; and
screwing the screw through said superior facet and into said inferior facet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for stabilizing a facet joint comprising:
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a screwdriver, having a handle coupled to a head, said head projecting from the handle at a first angle and rotatable about a first axis, the screwdriver sized to be insertable into a posterolateral surgical opening;
a screw coupled to the head and rotatable about the first axis in response to a torque applied by the head, the screw sized to be insertable into said facet joint; and
a torque transmitter coupled to the head such that rotation of the torque transmitter about a second axis rotates the head about the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A screwdriver for inserting a screw into a facet joint, the screwdriver comprising:
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a handle having a first end and a second end;
a head, having an attachment end, the head coupled to and projecting from the first end of the handle at a first angle and rotatable about a first axis;
a torque transmitter coupled to the head such that rotation of the torque transmitter about a second axis rotates the head about the first axis; and
wherein the attachment end is configured to removably connect to said screw. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A facet screw for fixing a facet joint, comprising:
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a screw head portion;
a point portion; and
a shaft portion between the screw head portion and the point portion and integral therewith, the shaft portion having threads which are spaced from each other at a progressively larger distance towards the screw head portion, and wherein the shaft is substantially elliptical. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A cutter for cutting a facet screw away from a facet screwdriver within a surgical opening comprising:
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a first handle;
a second handle rotatably connected to the first handle;
a longitudinal shaft extending from the first handle with a diameter sufficiently narrow to allow a view of said facet screw through said surgical opening when the longitudinal shaft is inserted into said surgical opening;
a first cutting edge fixedly coupled to the first handle and projecting from the longitudinal shaft at a first angle; and
a second cutting edge coupled to the second handle and projecting parallel to the first cutting edge such that when the second handle is moved closer to the first handle the second cutting edge approaches a facing edge of the first cutting edge. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A cutter for cutting a facet screw away from a facet screwdriver within a surgical opening comprising:
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a longitudinal shaft, having a first end and a second end, with a diameter sufficiently narrow to allow a view of said facet screw through said surgical opening when the longitudinal shaft is inserted into said surgical opening;
a first cutting edge fixedly coupled to the first end and projecting from the longitudinal shaft at a first angle;
a second cutting edge coupled to the first end and projecting parallel to the first cutting edge; and
a ratchet mechanism, having an activating end proximate to the second end and rotatably coupled to the first and second cutting edges, such that when the activating end is rotated relative to the first and second cutting edges, the second cutting edge approaches a facing edge of the first cutting edge. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification