PROSTHESES, TOOLS AND METHODS FOR REPLACEMENT OF NATURAL FACET JOINTS WITH ARTIFICIAL FACET JOINT SURFACES

• US 20060100707A1
• Filed: 01/03/2006
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gmedelaware 2 LLC (Globus Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Scribner, Robert M., Reiley, Mark A., Jones, Lawrence R., Stinson, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,523,907 B2
• 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 2/4405 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 2002/30331 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3037 Translation along the common longitudinal axis, e.g. piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4631 the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00131 Tantalum or Ta-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite

Abstract

Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The cephalad prostheses are adapted and configured to be attached to a lamina portion of a vertebra without blocking a pedicle portion of the cephalad vertebra. In some embodiments, the prosthesis is attached with a non-invasive support member, such as a clamp. In other embodiments, a translaminar screw may be used for additional fixation.

Claims

1-77. -77. (canceled)

78. A facet replacement device adapted to engage a laminar surface on a first spinal vertebra and a second laminar surface on a second spinal vertebra, the device comprising:

an upper clamp adapted to attach to the laminar surface on the first spinal vertebra; and

a lower clamp, adapted to engage the upper clamp, adapted to attach to the laminar surface on the second spinal vertebra.

79. The facet replacement device of claim 78 wherein the device is further adapted to provide a hook on at least one of the upper clamp or the lower clamp.

80. The facet replacement device of claim 78 wherein the device is further adapted to provide an upper clamp bearing surface in communication with a lower clamp bearing surface.

81. The facet replacement device of claim 80 wherein the upper clamp bearing surface and lower clamp bearing surface are adapted to provide a flexible material therebetween.

82. The facet replacement device of claim 78 wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are adapted to provide an aperture for mounting the upper clamp and the lower clamp to one of the first spinal vertebra and the second spinal vertebra with the use of a fastener.

83. A facet replacement device adapted to engage a first surface on a first spinal vertebra and a second surface on a second spinal vertebra, the device comprising:

an upper clamp adapted to attach to the first surface on the first spinal vertebra;

a lower clamp, adapted to engage the upper clamp, adapted to attach to the second surface on the second spinal vertebra; and

a flexible material positioned between the upper clamp and the lower clamp.

84. The facet replacement device according to claim 83 wherein the upper clamp is adapted to provide a hook for engaging a portion of the spinal vertebra.

85. The facet replacement device according to claim 83 wherein the lower clamp is adapted to provide a hook for engaging a portion of the spinal vertebra.

86. The facet replacement device of claim 83 wherein the device is further adapted to provide an upper clamp bearing surface in communication with a lower clamp bearing surface.

87. The facet replacement device of claim 83 wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are adapted to provide an aperture for mounting the upper clamp and the lower clamp to one of the first spinal vertebra and the second spinal vertebra with the use of a fastener.

88. A facet replacement device adapted to engage a first surface on a first spinal vertebra and a second surface on a second spinal vertebra, the device comprising:

an upper clamp adapted to attach to the first surface on the first spinal vertebra;

a lower clamp, adapted to engage the upper clamp, adapted to attach to the second surface on the second spinal vertebra; and

wherein the upper clamp is adapted to provide a hook for engaging a portion of the spinal vertebra.

89. The facet replacement device according to claim 88 wherein the lower clamp is adapted to provide a hook for engaging a portion of the spinal vertebra.

90. The facet replacement device of claim 89 wherein the device is further adapted to provide an upper clamp bearing surface in communication with a lower clamp bearing surface.

91. The facet replacement device of claim 89 wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are adapted to provide an aperture for mounting the upper clamp and the lower clamp to one of the first spinal vertebra and the second spinal vertebra with the use of a fastener.

92. The facet replacement device of claim 89 wherein the upper clamp bearing surface and lower clamp bearing surface are adapted to provide a flexible material therebetween.

93. A method for restoring range of motion between vertebral bodies of a spine comprising the steps of:

implanting a facet replacement device adapted to engage a first surface on a first spinal vertebra and a second surface on a second spinal vertebra, the device comprising;

an upper clamp adapted to attach to the first surface on the first spinal vertebra;

a lower clamp, adapted to engage the upper clamp, adapted to attach to the second surface on the second spinal vertebra; and

a flexible material positioned between the upper clamp and the lower clamp.

94. The method for restoring range of motion between vertebral bodies of a spine according to claim 93 further comprising the step of engaging the first spinal vertebra by hooking a portion of the upper clamp to the spinal vertebra.

95. The method for restoring range of motion between vertebral bodies of a spine according to claim 93 further comprising the step of engaging the second spinal vertebra by hooking a portion of the lower clamp to the spinal vertebra.

96. The method for restoring range of motion between vertebral bodies of a spine according to claim 94 further comprising the step of engaging the upper clamp to the first spinal vertebra by use of a fastener.

97. The method for restoring range of motion between vertebral bodies of a spine according to claim 94 further comprising the step of engaging the upper clamp to the first spinal vertebra by use of a fastener.