FACET DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20090024166A1
• Filed: 07/08/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Albany Medical College (Albany Medical Center), K2M, Inc (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vertech Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Rosenberg, Meir, Carl, Allen L., Sachs, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 8,114,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/562 Implants for placement in joint gaps without restricting joint motion, e.g. to reduce arthritic pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7065 Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/561 Implants with special means for releasing a drug
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/564 Methods for bone or joint treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/02 Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
• 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 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30079 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30242 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30411 having two threaded end parts connected by a threaded central part with opposite threads at its opposite ends, i.e. for adjusting the distance between both end parts by rotating the central part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• 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 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30663 multiaxial, e.g. biaxial; multipolar, e.g. bipolar or having an intermediate shell articulating between the ball and the socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30873 : Threadings machined on non-cylindrical external surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30932 : for retarding or preventing ingrowth of bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• 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 2230/0071 : spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures

Abstract

A spine prosthesis is provided and in particular, related to the facet joint of a spine. A spinal implant comprises a facet prosthesis including an insert to be positioned within a joint capsule between facets of a zygapophyseal joint. The insert may comprise a member having two opposing facet interfacing portions. A facet prosthesis exerts a distraction force between facets of a facet joint and may comprise a curable material to be injected into the facet joint. A facet prosthesis may also comprise a pair of magnets, each magnet coupled to a facet and oriented with like poles facing each other to provide a distracting force away from each other. A spine implant may also include an insert to be positioned within the joint capsule, a securing member comprising an elongate portion extending through part of a facet, and an anchor to anchor the securing member to the facet.

Claims

1. A spine implant comprising:

a facet prosthesis wherein the facet prosthesis comprises an insert configured to be positioned within a joint capsule between facets of a zygapophyseal joint, wherein the insert comprises;

a member having a first facet interfacing portion and a second facet interfacing portion opposing the first facet interfacing portion.

2. The spine implant of claim 1 wherein the member comprises an expandable member.

3. The spine implant of claim 1 wherein the first and second interfacing portions are configured to permit articulation of the facets.

4. The spine implant of claim 1 wherein the first and second interfacing portions each comprise a curved portion.

5. The spine implant of claim 4 wherein the facet prosthesis comprises a ball-like member.

6. The spine implant of claim 1 wherein the facet prosthesis is configured to exert a distraction force between facets of a facet joint.

7. The spine implant of claim 1 wherein the facet prosthesis includes a flexible portion configured to permit limited motion of the facet joint.

8. The spine implant of claim 7 wherein the flexible portion comprises a flexible polymer forming said member.

9. The spine implant of claim 7 wherein the flexible portion comprises an elongate portion extending through said member in said joint and configured to be anchored to at least one of said facets.

10. The spine implant of claim 7 wherein the flexible portion comprises an elongate portion extending from said member in said joint and anchored to at least one of said facets.

11. The spine implant of claim 1 further comprising:

a securing member comprising an elongate portion configured to extend through at least a portion of the facet prosthesis; and

an anchor coupled to the elongate portion, and configured to anchor the securing member to at least one facet.

12. The spine implant of claim 11 wherein the securing member includes a flexible portion configured to permit limited motion of one or more of the facets of the facet joint.

13. The spine implant of claim 11 wherein the securing member comprises a distracting element.

14. The spine implant of claim 1 further comprising:

a securing member comprising a wrap configured to wrap around at least a portion of the facet joint.

15. A spine implant system comprising:

an elongate member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured to extend into a first facet of a facet joint, the second portion being configured to extend into a second facet of a facet joint, the elongate member further comprising a lumen in fluid communication with at least one port configured open into a space between the first and second facets; and

a material adapted to cure into a flexible polymer, the material being adapted to be injected into the lumen and flow through the at least one port.

16. The spine implant of claim 15 further comprising an anchor configured to anchor the elongate member to at least one facet of the facet joint.

17. A spine implant comprising:

a facet prosthesis configured to exert a distraction force between facets of a facet joint wherein the prosthesis comprises;

a first magnet configured to be coupled to a first facet and a second magnet configured to be coupled to a second facet, wherein the first magnet and second magnet are oriented with like poles facing each other so as to provide a distracting force away from each other.

18. A spine implant comprising:

a facet prosthesis comprising;

an insert configured to be positioned within a joint capsule of a facet joint;

a securing member comprising an elongate portion configured to extend through at least a portion of at least one facet of the facet joint; and

an anchor configured to anchor the securing member to at least one facet of the facet joint.

19. The spine implant of claim 18, further comprising a rod disposed between the first and second magnets and configured to limit movement of the first and second magnets relative to one another.

20. A spine implant comprising:

a first post configured to extend through a first facet of a facet joint, the first post having a first capsule end configured to extend into a joint capsule of a facet joint;

a second post configured to extend through a second facet of a facet joint, the second post having a second capsule end configured to extend into the joint capsule; and

a bearing member coupled to the first and second capsule ends.

21. A method of repairing a facet joint, the method comprising:

inserting an elongate member at least partially through a first and second facet of a facet joint, the elongate member comprising a lumen in fluid communication with at least one port configured to open into a space between the first and second facets; and

injecting a material into the lumen and through the at least one port, the material being adapted to cure into a flexible polymer.