Replacement facet joint and method

• US 20060036243A1
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin T. Foley, Ricardo Sasso
• Original Assignee: Kevin T. Foley, Ricardo Sasso
• Inventors: Foley, Kevin T., Sasso, Ricardo
• Granted Patent: US 7,846,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30756 Cartilage endoprostheses A61F2/3603 takes precedence
• 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 2002/30168 L-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30685 Means for reducing or preventing the generation of wear particulates
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0043 L-shaped

Abstract

Prostheses and methods for repair of a cervical fact joint. The articulating surfaces of the natural facets of the facet joint are removed only a sufficient amount to allow the insertion of flat or slightly curvilinear portions of protheses therebetween in an overlapping relationship. The portions are so inserted and the prostheses mounted by attachment to adjacent vertebrae. Also, a single natural facet may be similarly repaired with a single prosthesis.

Claims

1. A prosthesis for the repair of a cervical facet joint comprising:

a superior component having a first substantially flat or slightly curvilinear portion and a mounting portion;

an inferior component having a second substantially flat or slightly curvilinear portion and a mounting portion;

said mounting portions being adapted for connection to adjacent cervical vertebrae with said first and second portions articulating with each other between the facets of the adjacent cervical vertebrae.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said first flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said superior mounting portion at an angle of about 45°

.

3. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said second flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said inferior mounting portion at an angle of about 135°

.

4. The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said first flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said superior mounting portion at an angle of about 45°

.

5. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said first flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said superior mounting portion at an angle of 45°

.

6. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said second flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said inferior mounting portion at an angle of 135°

.

7. The prosthesis of claim 6 wherein said first flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said superior mounting portion at an angle of 45°

.

8. The prosthesis of claim 1 additionally comprising a first bone anchor member for attaching said superior component to a vertebrae, a second bone anchor member for attaching said inferior component to a vertebra and a flexible tethering system connecting said first bone anchor and said second bone anchor.

9. The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein said flexible tethering system comprises a flexible elongated member secured to said first bone anchor member and to said second bone anchor member.

10. The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein said bone anchor members are screws.

11. A prosthesis for the repair of a cervical facet joint comprising:

a component having a substantially flat or slightly curvilinear portion and a mounting portion, said substantially flat or slightly curvilinear portion being adapted for replacing the articulating surface of one of the facets of the articulating facet joint between two adjacent cervical vertebrae.

12. The prosthesis of claim 11 wherein said flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said mounting portion at an angle of about 45°

.

13. The prosthesis of claim 11 wherein said flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said mounting portion at an angle of 45°

.

14. The prosthesis of claim 11 wherein said flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said mounting portion at an angle of about 135°

.

15. The prosthesis of claim 11 wherein said flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said mounting portion at an angle of 135°

.

16. A method for repairing a cervical facet joint of adjacent vertebrae comprising:

(a) providing a superior component having a first substantially flat or slightly curvilinear portion and a mounting portion,

(b) providing an inferior component having a second substantially flat or slightly curvilinear portion and a mounting portion,

(c) removing the articulating surfaces of the facets of the facet joint only a sufficient amount to allow the insertion of said flat or slightly curvilinear portions therebetween in an overlapping relationship,

(d) inserting said flat portions between the facets with the flat or slightly curvilinear portions in an overlapping relationship,

(e) and securing the component to the adjacent vertebrae by attaching the mounting portions to the posterior arches of the adjacent vertebrae.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said first flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said superior mounting portion at an angle of about 45°

.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said second flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said inferior mounting portion at an angle of about 135°

.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said first flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said inferior mounting portion at an angle of about 45°

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said first flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said superior mounting portion at an angle of 45°

.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein said second flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said inferior mounting portion at an angle of 135°

.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said first flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said inferior mounting portion at an angle of 45°

.

23. A method for repairing a cervical facet joint between a first vertebra and a second vertebra comprising:

(a) providing a component having a substantially flat or slightly curvilinear portion and a mounting portion,

(b) removing the natural facet surface of the first vertebra only a sufficient amount to allow the insertion of said flat or slightly curvilinear portion into overlapping relationship with the natural facet surface of the second vertebra,

(c) inserting said flat portion into overlapping relationship with the natural facet surface of the second vertebra, and;

(d) securing the component to the first vertebra by attaching the mounting portion to the posterior arch of the first vertebra.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said mounting portion at an angle of about 45°

.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein said flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said mounting portion at an angle of 45°

.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein said flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said mounting portion at an angle of about 135°

.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein said flat or slightly curvilinear portion is joined to said mounting portion at an angle of 135°

.