Devices and methods for treating facet joints

• US 20060041311A1
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gmedelaware 2 LLC (Globus Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gmedelaware 2 LLC (Globus Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: McLeer, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US11/207,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20060041311A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30742 Bellows or hose-like seals; Sealing membranes A61B17/8808 takes precedence; sealing membranes for retaining bone substitute A61F2/2846
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30756 Cartilage endoprostheses A61F2/3603 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30767 Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
• 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 2002/30057 made from both cortical and cancellous adjacent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30069 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30225 Flat cylinders, i.e. discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30299 umbrella-shaped or mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30971 Laminates, i.e. layered products
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00071 Nickel or Ni-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 Ceramics or ceramic-like structures

Abstract

The invention discloses methods and devices for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules.

Claims

1. A facet joint restoration device for use in a restoring a target facet joint surface comprising:

(a) a first surface configured to articulate with respect to an opposing surface comprising one of a facet joint surface or a facet joint restoration device surface; and

(b) a second surface configured to engage a surface of the target facet joint.

2. The facet joint restoration device according to claim 1 wherein the second surface is configured to promote bony in-growth.

3. The facet joint restoration device according to claim 1 wherein the second surface is adapted to secure the restoration device to the surface of the target facet joint.

4. The facet joint restoration device according to claim 1 wherein the second surface is adapted to provide an anchoring mechanism.

5. The facet joint restoration device of claim 4 wherein the anchoring mechanism includes anchoring mechanisms selected from the group consisting of teeth, ridges, nubs, serrations, granulations, a stem, and a spike.

6. The facet joint restoration device according to claim 1 wherein the device is configured from naturally occurring materials adapted to form the device, ceramic, metal, or polymer, or combinations thereof.

7. The facet joint restoration device according to claim 1 wherein the device restores the biomechanical operation of the facet joint.

8. The facet joint restoration device according to claim 1 wherein the device treats degenerating or diseased tissue in the target facet joint.

9. The facet joint restoration device according to claim 1 wherein the device is adapted to restore or maintain motion or mobility for the target facet joint.

10. The facet joint restoration device according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second surface is adapted to conform to a mating surface.

11. The facet restoration device according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second surface is adapted to contour to a mating surface.

12. The facet restoration device according to claim 1 wherein the device restores articulation of the target facet joint.

13. A facet capsule device comprising a body adapted to circumvent a superior facet and an opposing inferior facet of a facet joint, wherein the body comprises a flexible body with a first securable edge and a second securable edge adapted to engage the first securable edge.

14. The facet capsule replacement device of claim 13 wherein the first securable edge and the second securable edge have apertures for engaging a tying device.

15. The facet capsule replacement device of claim 13 wherein the body is secured to the superior facet and inferior facet by engaging the first securable edge and the second securable edge.

16. The facet capsule replacement device of claim 13 wherein the body is secured to one of the superior facet and the inferior facet by engaging an upper edge of the body or a lower edge of the body to one of the superior facet and the inferior facet.

17. The facet capsule replacement device of claim 13 wherein the device is configured to retain therapeutic materials in contact with a surface of the superior facet or inferior facet.

18. The facet capsule replacement device of claim 17 wherein the therapeutic material promotes articulation, adhesion, pain relief, or cell regeneration.

19. The facet capsule replacement device of claim 13 further comprising a reinforcing layer.

20. A method for treating a facet joint comprising:

(a) accessing a target articular surface;

(b) selecting a facet joint restoration device; and

(c) positioning the selected facet restoration device on the target articular surface.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of deploying a facet joint immobilization device.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of selecting a facet capsule replacement device and implanting the facet capsule replacement device.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of delivering therapeutic materials to the facet joint.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the therapeutic materials are delivered on a time-released basis.

25. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of deploying a facet joint immobilization device.

26. A method for treating a facet joint comprising:

(a) accessing a target articular surface of a joint;

(b) selecting a capsule replacement device; and

(c) positioning the selected capsule replacement device on the target articular surface.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of delivering therapeutic materials to the facet joint.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the therapeutic materials are delivered on a time-released basis.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of deploying a facet joint immobilization device.

30. A kit for treating pathologies of the spinal facet, the kit comprising one or more devices for treatment of the spinal facet pathology, the devices selected from the group consisting of:

a facet restoration device, a facet capsule device, a facet immobilization device, and a delivery device for delivering therapeutic materials.