Inter-cervical facet implant with implantation tool

• US 20070016195A1
• Filed: 05/06/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Winslow, John Markwart, Steven Mitchell
• Original Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Steven, Markwart, John, Winslow, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,029,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30 Joints

Abstract

Systems and method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can include an implant for positioning within a cervical facet joint for distracting the cervical spine, thereby increasing the area of the canals and openings through which the spinal cord and nerves must pass, and decreasing pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The implant can be inserted laterally or posteriorly.

Claims

1. A facet joint implant adapted to be inserted into a facet joint, the implant comprising:

a. a facet joint spacer; and

b. an anchoring plate associated with the facet joint spacer, wherein the anchoring plate includes an engagement aperture adapted to receive a retractable engaging member of an implanting tool.

2. The implant of claim 1 wherein the engagement aperture is in a superior surface of the anchoring plate.

3. The implant of claim 1 wherein the anchoring plate further comprises a side surface having an protrusion adapted to correspondingly register in a receiving slot in the implanting tool.

4. The implant of claim 1 wherein the anchoring plate further comprises a pair of winged protrusions along opposing side surfaces, wherein the protrusions are adapted to register in corresponding slots in the implanting tool.

5. The implant of claim 1 wherein the anchoring plate further comprises:

a. a bone screw aperture adapted to receive a bone screw; and

b. a locking screw aperture adapted to receive a locking screw, the bone screw and locking screw adapted to anchor the anchoring plate into a vertebral body.

6. The implant of claim 1 wherein the facet joint spacer further comprises a substantially flat inferior surface and a convex superior surface, wherein the superior surface tapers toward the inferior surface at a front edge.

7. The implant of claim 1 wherein the facet joint spacer is flexibly movable between a nonextended position and an extended position with respect to the anchoring plate, wherein the facet joint spacer is unable to pivot beyond the extended position.

8. A facet joint implant adapted to be inserted in a facet joint, the implant comprising:

a. a facet joint spacer; and

b. an anchoring plate flexibly coupled to the facet joint spacer, the anchoring plate having a superior surface and an inferior surface, wherein the anchoring plate includes an aperture through the superior surface adapted to receive a retractable engaging member of an implanting tool, the anchoring plate including a protrusion on a side surface adapted to correspondingly register with a receiving slot of the implanting tool.

9. The implant of claim 8 wherein the protrusion further comprises a pair of winged protrusions along opposing side surfaces of the anchoring plate, wherein the protrusions are adapted to register in corresponding slots in the implanting tool.

10. The implant of claim 8 wherein the anchoring plate further comprises:

a. a bone screw aperture adapted to receive a bone screw; and

b. a locking screw aperture adapted to receive a locking screw, the bone screw and locking screw adapted to anchor the anchoring plate into a vertebral body.

11. The implant of claim 8 wherein the facet joint spacer further comprises a substantially flat inferior surface and a convex superior surface, wherein the superior surface tapers toward the inferior surface at a front edge.

12. The implant of claim 8 wherein the facet joint spacer is flexibly movable between a nonextended position and an extended position with respect to the anchoring plate, wherein the facet joint spacer is unable to pivot beyond the extended position.

13. A facet joint implant adapted to be inserted in a facet joint, the implant comprising:

a. a facet joint spacer; and

b. an anchoring plate flexibly coupled to the facet joint spacer, the anchoring plate having a superior surface and an inferior surface, wherein the anchoring plate includes a protrusion on a side surface adapted to correspondingly register with a receiving slot of the implanting tool.

14. The implant of claim 13 further comprising an engagement aperture adapted to receive a retractable engagement member of the implanting tool.

15. The implant of claim 14 wherein the engagement aperture is in a superior surface of the anchoring plate.

16. The implant of claim 13 wherein the protrusion further comprises a pair of winged protrusions along opposing side surfaces of the anchoring plate, wherein the protrusions are adapted to register in corresponding slots in the implanting tool.

17. The implant of claim 13 wherein the anchoring plate further comprises:

a. a bone screw aperture adapted to receive a bone screw; and

b. a locking screw aperture adapted to receive a locking screw, the bone screw and locking screw adapted to anchor the anchoring plate into a vertebral body.

18. The implant of claim 13 wherein the facet joint spacer further comprises a substantially flat inferior surface and a convex superior surface, wherein the superior surface tapers toward the inferior surface at a front edge.

19. The implant of claim 13 wherein the facet joint spacer is flexibly movable between a nonextended position and an extended position with respect to the anchoring plate, wherein the facet joint spacer is unable to pivot beyond the extended position.