Guide and Cutter for Contouring Facet Joints and Methods of Use
First Claim
1. A device for contouring articular processes of a facet joint comprising:
- a guide including a spacer extending outward in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of the guide and including a width to space apart the articular processes in a widthwise direction; and
a cutting member offset the spacer in the widthwise direction and including a cutting edge oriented to contour one of the articular processes in the longitudinal direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for contouring articular processes of a facet joint includes a guide with a spacer extending outward in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of the guide. The spacer includes a width to space apart the articular processes in a widthwise direction. A cutting member that is offset the spacer in the widthwise direction includes a cutting edge oriented to contour one of the articular processes in the longitudinal direction. The cutting member may be fixed or moveable relative to the guide. If the cutting member is moveable relative to the guide, the guide may include a guide edge along which the cutting member moves to control the accuracy of the contouring. A second cutting member may be offset a second side of the spacer in the widthwise direction and include a second cutting edge oriented to contour the second articular process in the longitudinal direction.
240 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A device for contouring articular processes of a facet joint comprising:
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a guide including a spacer extending outward in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of the guide and including a width to space apart the articular processes in a widthwise direction; and a cutting member offset the spacer in the widthwise direction and including a cutting edge oriented to contour one of the articular processes in the longitudinal direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for contouring first and second articular processes of a facet joint comprising:
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a guide including a spacer extending outward in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of the guide and including a width to space apart the first and second articular processes in a widthwise direction; and a first cutting member offset a first side of the spacer in the widthwise direction and including a first cutting edge oriented to contour the first articular process in the longitudinal direction; and a second cutting member offset a second side of the spacer in the widthwise direction and including a second cutting edge oriented to contour the second articular process in the longitudinal direction. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of preparing articular processes for fusing a facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a spacer between a first and a second articular process of the facet joint and spacing apart the first and second articular processes a predetermined width; guiding a cutting edge relative to the spacer; engaging the cutting edge with the first articular process at a location beyond the predetermined width; and forcing the cutting edge into and contouring the first articular process while maintaining the cutting edge beyond the predetermined width. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification