Facet spacer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device to space a facet joint formed between first and second vertebral members, the device comprising:
- a mounting section sized to extend over a face of the first vertebral members;
a first intermediate section integral with and extending outward from the mounting section;
a second intermediate section integral with the first intermediate section and forming a two layer construction sized to fit within the facet joint between the first and second vertebral members; and
a fold connecting the first and second intermediate sections;
the device being constructed of a flexible material that permits movement of the facet joint.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices for insertion within a facet joint formed between adjacent vertebral members. The devices include an intermediate section sized to fit within the facet joint. The devices may also include one or more mounting sections that extend across the face of one or both vertebral members to receive a fastener for mounting the device. Methods of using the devices may include positioning the intermediate section within the facet joint and connecting the device to one or both vertebral members.
147 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A device to space a facet joint formed between first and second vertebral members, the device comprising:
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a mounting section sized to extend over a face of the first vertebral members;
a first intermediate section integral with and extending outward from the mounting section;
a second intermediate section integral with the first intermediate section and forming a two layer construction sized to fit within the facet joint between the first and second vertebral members; and
a fold connecting the first and second intermediate sections;
the device being constructed of a flexible material that permits movement of the facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device to space a facet joint formed between first and second vertebral members, the device comprising:
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a two-ply intermediate section sized to fit within the facet joint; and
a mounting section sized to extend over a portion of one of the first and second vertebral members;
the intermediate section and the mounting section constructed from a single member and being flexible to permit movement of the facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device to space a facet joint formed between first and second vertebral members, the device comprising:
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a first section having a width to fit within the facet joint with a first face contacting the first vertebral member and a second face contacting the second vertebral member; and
a second section extending at an angle from the first section and extending over at least a portion of an exterior face of one of the first and second vertebral members. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A device to space a facet joint formed between first and second vertebral members, the device comprising:
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a first intermediate section; and
a second intermediate section positioned to extend over at least a portion of the first intermediate section;
the intermediate sections having a folded orientation and being constructed from a single flexible member that provides for movement of the facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A device to space a facet joint formed between first and second vertebral members, the device comprising:
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a first intermediate section having an outer surface for positioning against the first vertebral member and an inner surface facing away from the first vertebral member; and
a second intermediate section having an outer surface for positioning against the second vertebral member and an inner surface facing away from the second vertebral member;
the intermediate sections being formed from a single member and having an overlapping orientation with the inner surfaces facing one another. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A device to space a facet joint formed between first and second vertebral members, the device comprising:
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a first mounting section sized to extend over a section of the first vertebral member;
a second mounting section sized to extend over a section of the second vertebral member;
an intermediate section connected to each of the first and second mounting sections, the intermediate section having first and second members in an overlapping configuration sized to fit between the first and second vertebral members; and
a flexible outer member mounted to the first and second mounting sections to apply tension when loaded to the first and second mounting sections. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of spacing a facet joint formed between first and second vertebral members, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a unitary, two layer intermediate section within the facet joint and spacing apart the first and second vertebral members;
attaching a first mounting section that extends outward from a first layer of the intermediate section to the first vertebral member; and
attaching a second mounting section that extends outward from a second layer of the intermediate section to the second vertebral member. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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Specification