FACET FIXATION AND FUSION SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20080255622A1
• Filed: 04/13/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Spine Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Mickiewicz, Christopher, Brideau, Holly, Selover, Sean, Mahoney, Michael, Birkmeyer, Paul, Herard, Katherine, O'Neil, Michael, Fisher, Michael Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,894,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/319
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive

Abstract

A spinal implant including a stabilization member coupled to an elongate member is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet configuration. Also, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet orientation is hereby provided.

Claims

1. A spinal implant, comprising:

an elongate member extending from a distal tip to a proximal end having a head formed thereon, the elongate member having threads extending over at least a portion thereof; and

a stabilization member having a bone contacting surface and being configured to seat the elongate member,

the stabilization member having at least one feature configured to stabilize at least one of an anatomical structure and the spinal implant.

2. The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the feature is a tine adapted to engage a bony portion of a facet joint.

3. The spinal implant of claim 2, wherein at least one tine engages a first vertebra, and at least one tine engages a second vertebra, the second vertebra adjacent the first vertebra.

4. The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the feature is an elongate tine adapted to be positioned between the facet faces and adjacent the elongate member.

5. The spinal implant of claim 4, wherein the stabilization member further includes a second elongate tine, the second elongate tine adapted to be positioned between the facet faces and adjacent the elongate member.

6. The spinal implant of claim 5, further comprising at least one tine adapted to pierce an anatomical structure.

7. The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the stabilization member is configured to seat the elongate member such that the stabilization member is capable of polyaxial movement relative to the head of the elongate member.

8. The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the feature is a lateral extension, the lateral extension adapted to securely engage a vertebra positioned adjacent a facet joint as the implant is positioned within the facet joint.

9. The spinal implant of claim 8, wherein the lateral extension includes at least one opening capable of receiving a fixation member.

10. The spinal implant of claim 8, wherein the lateral extension includes at least one protrusion capable of piercing the vertebra.

11. The spinal implant of claim 8, further comprising at least a second lateral extension being positioned on the stabilization member.

12. The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the implant includes a fusion-promoting bioactive material.

13. A spinal implant, comprising:

an elongate member coupled to a stabilization member so as to allow for polyaxial motion of the stabilization member relative to the elongate member, the stabilization member encircling a portion of the elongate member such that a longitudinal axis of the elongate member passes through an opening of the stabilization member, the stabilization member further adapted to securely engage a bony portion of a facet joint so as to secure the implant relative to the facet joint.

14. The spinal implant of claim 13, wherein the stabilization member includes at least one tine adapted to engage an outer edge of the facet joint.

15. The spinal implant of claim 13, wherein the stabilization member includes an elongate feature adapted to be positioned between the facet faces and adjacent the elongate member.

16. The spinal implant of claim 13, wherein the implant includes a fusion-promoting bioactive material.

17. A method for facet joint fixation and fusion, comprising:

surgically delivering a spinal implant to a facet joint, the spinal implant including an elongate member, the elongate member having threads extending over at least a portion thereof, the elongate member further coupled to a stabilization member, the stabilization member having a bone contacting surface being configured to seat the elongate member, the stabilization member further having at least one feature configured to stabilize a portion of the facet joint and the spinal implant; and

securing the spinal implant relative to the facet joint.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising delivering a first spinal implant to a first facet joint and a second spinal implant to a second, corresponding facet joint at the same level of a spine.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the surgically delivering step is conducted in a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the spinal implant includes a fusion-promoting bioactive material.