REPLACEMENT FACET JOINT AND METHOD
First Claim
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1. A method for repairing a spinal facet joint, comprising:
- providing a superior component, said superior component including a first flat articulating portion and a first mounting portion, said first flat articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of a spinal facet joint;
providing an inferior component, said inferior component including a second flat articulating portion and a second mounting portion, said second flat articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of the spinal facet joint in an overlapping arrangement with said first flat articulating portion;
creating a space between the facets of the spinal facet joint for accommodating said first flat articulating portion and said second flat articulating portion in said overlapping arrangement;
inserting said first flat articulating portion and said second flat articulating portion into said space; and
attaching said first mounting portion and said second mounting portion to respective first and second lateral mass structures adjacent to the spinal facet joint such that said first flat articulating portion and said second flat articulating portion overlap and are able to slide against one another in more than one direction between the facets of the spinal facet joint.
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Abstract
Prostheses and methods for repair of a cervical fact joint. The articulating surfaces of the natural facets of the facet joint are removed only a sufficient amount to allow the insertion of flat or slightly curvilinear portions of protheses therebetween in an overlapping relationship. The portions are so inserted and the prostheses mounted by attachment to adjacent vertebrae. Also, a single natural facet may be similarly repaired with a single prosthesis.
61 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for repairing a spinal facet joint, comprising:
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providing a superior component, said superior component including a first flat articulating portion and a first mounting portion, said first flat articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of a spinal facet joint; providing an inferior component, said inferior component including a second flat articulating portion and a second mounting portion, said second flat articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of the spinal facet joint in an overlapping arrangement with said first flat articulating portion; creating a space between the facets of the spinal facet joint for accommodating said first flat articulating portion and said second flat articulating portion in said overlapping arrangement; inserting said first flat articulating portion and said second flat articulating portion into said space; and attaching said first mounting portion and said second mounting portion to respective first and second lateral mass structures adjacent to the spinal facet joint such that said first flat articulating portion and said second flat articulating portion overlap and are able to slide against one another in more than one direction between the facets of the spinal facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for repairing a spinal facet joint, comprising:
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providing a superior component, said superior component including a first articulating portion and a first mounting portion, said first articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of a spinal facet joint; providing an inferior component, said inferior component including a second articulating portion and a second mounting portion, said second articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of the spinal facet joint in an overlapping arrangement with said first articulating portion; creating a space between the facets of the spinal facet joint for accommodating said first articulating portion and said second articulating portion in said overlapping arrangement; inserting said first articulating portion and said second articulating portion into said space; and attaching said first mounting portion and said second mounting portion to respective first and second lateral mass structures adjacent to the spinal facet joint such that said first articulating portion and said second flat articulating portion provide respective first and second opposing flat articulating surfaces touching one another, said first and second opposing flat articulating surfaces being adapted to slide against one another in more than one direction between the facets of the spinal facet joint.
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Specification