Facet fusion system

• US 20050124993A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James L. Chappuis
• Original Assignee: James L. Chappuis
• Inventors: Chappuis, James L.
• Application Number:
  US11/037,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20050124993A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.A
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy

Abstract

Included in the present disclosure is a system and method for fusing a facet joint. The system includes a trochar arranged and configured for use during percutaneous retraction, a retractor arranged and configured for use during percutaneous retraction, and a facet bur arranged and configured for decorticating the facet joint. Also included is at least one implant configured for insertion into the facet joint. The system also implements the trochar, retractor, and facet bur to prepare the facet joint for fusion.

Claims

1. A system for fusing a facet joint comprising:

a trochar arranged and configured for use during percutaneous retraction;

a retractor arranged and configured for use during percutaneous retraction;

a facet bur arranged and configured for decorticating the facet joint; and

at least one implant configured for insertion into the facet joint;

wherein said trochar, said retractor, and said facet bur are implemented to prepare the facet joint for fusion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said facet bur further comprises:

a head having a planar surface and an extension extending from said planar; and

a shaft extending from said planar surface of said head, said shaft extending from said planar surface in a direction opposing said extension of said head, said shaft being arranged and configured to engage a source of rotation power for said rotation portion;

wherein said extension is arranged and configured to engage a facet joint to taper said facet joint and said planar surface is arranged and configured to engage and plane a posterior surface of the facet.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sizing insert configured to aid in the determination of an appropriate size implant to be inserted into the facet joint to facilitate fusion.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said sizing insert comprises:

a body portion; and

a handle extending from said body portion;

wherein said body portion is arranged and configured to aid in the determination of an appropriate size implant to be inserted into the facet joint to facilitate fusion.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said implant comprises a cage configuration that comprises at least one fusion aperture.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a fusion material is inserted into said implant.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the fusion material comprises at least one of bone morphogenic protein and polyether ether keyton.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said implant is tapered for facilitating insertion into the facet joint.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said implant comprises two sections, wherein the first section is positioned orthogonal to the second section, thereby forming a T-shape.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

bonding means for fixing said implant in position in the facet joint;

wherein said bonding means facilitates fusion of the facet joint with said implant.

8. The system of clam 6, wherein a collagen based sponge is used as a carrier material for the fusion material.

12. A system for fusing a facet joint comprising:

retraction means for performing percutaneous retraction; and

decorticating means for decorticating the facet joint.

planing means for planing a portion of the facet joint; and

insertion means for inserting an implant.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising fusion means for facilitating fusion of the facet joint.

14. A method for fusing a facet joint, comprising:

performing percuntaneous retraction;

decorticating the facet joint; and

inserting an implant into the facet joint.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said implant comprises a cage configuration, wherein the cage configuration comprises at least one fusion aperture.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting a fusion material into the implant.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fusion material comprises at least one of bone morphogenic protein and polyether ether keyton.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising a collagen sponge configured for acting as a carrier material for the fusion material.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising bonding the facet joint for facilitating fusion.