Minimally invasive facet joint repair
First Claim
1. A facet implant for insertion into a facet joint comprising:
- a distal member;
a proximal member; and
an intermediate member connecting the distal member and the proximal member, the intermediate member for positioning between a first facet surface and a second facet surface and transformable between a first shape and a second shape.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and method for stabilizing the facet joints of the spine. One aspect of the present invention is the stabilization of the facet joint by insertion of a facet implant through two opposing facet surfaces. The facet implant includes a proximal, distal and intermediate member. The distal member is inserted through the facet joint and into a facet surface. The intermediate member is then placed in the area between the facet surfaces. The proximal member then is brought closer to the distal member to deploy the intermediate member into the space between the facet surfaces. Once deployed, the intermediate member provides a cushioning or restoring force to the facet joint such as to stabilize movement of the joint.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A facet implant for insertion into a facet joint comprising:
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a distal member;
a proximal member; and
an intermediate member connecting the distal member and the proximal member, the intermediate member for positioning between a first facet surface and a second facet surface and transformable between a first shape and a second shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13)
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12. A minimally invasive facet implant comprising:
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a first implant member positionable through a facet of a first vertebra;
a second implant member positionable through a facet of a second vertebra, wherein the first vertebra facet opposes the second vertebra facet; and
an intermediate implant element connecting the first and second implant members, the intermediate implant element positionable between the first and second vertebra facets.
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14. A method of stabilizing a facet joint, comprising:
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drilling a receiving hole through one or more of an opposing pair of facet surfaces; and
inserting a facet implant into the receiving hole, the facet implant including an intermediate element positioned between the opposing facet surfaces wherein the intermediate element is transformable between a first shape and a second shape. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of preparing a facet joint for fusion comprising:
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drilling a receiving hole through a first facet surface;
inserting a facet tool into the receiving hole, the facet tool including a number of strips positioned between the opposing facet surfaces wherein the strips are transformable between a first shape and a second shape and wherein when the strips are in the second shape the strips expose a cutting surface; and
moving the facet tool such that the cutting strips abrade a desired amount of cartilage from the facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A minimally invasive facet tool for abrading cartilage from a facet joint comprising:
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a first tool member; and
a second tool member distally extending from the first tool member, the second tool member positionable at a position in the facet joint and including at least one edge for abrading the facet joint.
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Specification