Inter-cervical facet implant with implantation tool

• US 20070016218A1
• Filed: 05/08/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Steven, Markwart, John, Winslow, Charles
• Application Number:
  US11/429,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20070016218A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/99
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30 Joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30771 applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
• 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 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30079 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3013 figure-"8"- or hourglass-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30176 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30308 banana-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30378 Spherically-shaped protrusion and recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30517 using a locking plate
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30566 Helical springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30639 : having rolling elements between both articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30708 : Means for distinguishing between left-sided and right-sided devices, Sets comprising both left-sided and right-sided prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30769 : madreporic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• 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 2002/4661 : for measuring thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 : magnetic
• 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 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 : connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/001 : Figure-8-shaped, e.g. hourglass-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 : V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0063 : Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0084 : Means for distinguishing between left-sided and right-sided devices; Sets comprising both left-sided and right-sided prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

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. An implanting tool to insert an inter-facet implant, the tool comprising:

a handle having a switch; and

an engaging head extending from the handle and adapted to receive the inter-facet implant, the engaging head including a forked end having a pair of sidewalls adapted to receive corresponding sidewalls of the implant, the engaging head coupled to the actuating switch and configured to allow the received implant to be disengaged therefrom when the switch is actuated.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the engaging head further comprises an engaging member positioned between the sidewalls and movable between an extended position and a retracted position when the switch is actuated, the engaging member adapted to be inserted into an engaging aperture of the implant when in the extended position.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the engaging member is urged to be in the extended position.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sidewalls of the engaging head includes a slot adapted to receive a protrusion from the sidewall of the implant.

5. The tool of claim 1 wherein engaging head includes a seating portion between the sidewalls, wherein the seating portion is configured to ensure proper orientation of the implant when received by the engaging head.

6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the engaging head includes a seating portion between the sidewalls, the seating potion having a contoured surface adapted to mate with a rear surface of the implant only when the implant is properly oriented when received by the engaging head.

7. The tool of claim 1 wherein the engaging head is oriented at an angle with respect to the handle.

8. The tool of claim 1 wherein the engaging head is oriented at an angle between and including 45 and 90 degrees with respect to the handle.

9. An implanting tool to insert an inter-facet implant, the tool comprising:

a handle having an actuating switch; and

an engaging head coupled to the handle and having a forked end including a pair of sidewalls, at least one sidewall including a slot adapted to receive a corresponding protrusion of the implant, the engaging head including an engaging member coupled to the actuating switch and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the engaging member is adapted to secure the received implant when in the extended position.

10. The tool of claim 9 wherein the engaging member is urged to be in the extended position.

11. The tool of claim 9 wherein engaging head includes a seating portion between the sidewalls, wherein the seating portion is configured to ensure proper orientation of the implant when received by the engaging head.

12. The tool of claim 9 wherein the engaging head includes a seating portion between the sidewalls, the seating potion having a contoured surface adapted to mate with a rear surface of the implant only when the implant is properly oriented when received by the engaging head.

13. The tool of claim 9 wherein the engaging head is oriented at an angle with respect to the handle.

14. An implanting tool and an inter-facet implant combination comprising:

a. an inter-facet implant comprising;

i. a facet joint spacer adapted to be inserted into a facet joint; and

an anchoring plate associated with the facet joint spacer, the anchoring plate having a protrusion in a sidewall; and

b. an implanting tool further comprising an engaging head extending from a handle, the engaging head including a forked end having a pair of sidewalls, wherein at least one side wall receives the protrusion of the implant to register the implant with the engaging head, the engaging head configured to allow the implant to be released therefrom.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein the handle of the implanting tool further comprises an actuatable switch.

16. The combination of claim 14 wherein the engaging head further comprises an engaging member positioned between the sidewalls, the engaging member coupled to a switch on the handle, the engaging member movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the engaging member is to be inserted into an engaging aperture of the implant when in the extended position.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the engaging member is urged to be in the extended position.

18. The combination of claim 14 wherein at least one of the sidewalls of the engaging head includes a slot to receive the engaging protrusion of the implant.

19. The combination of claim 14 wherein the engaging head includes a seating portion between the sidewalls, wherein the seating portion is configured to ensure proper orientation of the implant when received by the engaging head.

20. The combination of claim 14 wherein the engaging head includes a seating portion between the sidewalls, the seating potion having a contoured surface to mate with a rear surface of the implant only when the implant is properly oriented when received by the engaging head.

21. The combination of claim 14 wherein the engaging head is oriented at an angle with respect to the handle.

22. The combination of claim 14 wherein the facet joint spacer of the implant is flexibly movable between a non-extended position and an extended position with respect to the anchoring plate, wherein the facet joint spacer is unable to move beyond the extended position.

23. An implanting tool and an inter-facet implant combination comprising:

a. an inter-facet implant comprising;

a facet joint spacer adapted to be inserted into a facet joint; and

an anchoring plate flexibly coupled to the facet joint spacer, the anchoring plate having a protrusion in a sidewall; and

b. an implanting tool further comprising;

i. a handle having an acutatable switch; and

ii. an engaging head extending from the handle, the engaging head including a forked end having a pair of sidewalls, wherein at least one side wall receives the protrusion of the implant to register the implant with the engaging head, the engaging head configured to allow the implant to be released therefrom when the switch is actuated.

24. An implanting tool to insert an inter-facet implant, the tool comprising:

a handle having an actuating switch; and

an engaging head coupled to the handle and oriented at an angle with respect to the handle, the engaging head having a forked end including a pair of sidewalls, at least one sidewall including a slot adapted to receive a corresponding protrusion of the implant, the engaging head including an engaging member coupled to the actuating switch and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the engaging member is adapted to secure the received implant when in the extended position.