Method and apparatus for spinal facet fusion
First Claim
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1. A spinal facet fusion implant comprising:
- an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; and
at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis;
wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint;
and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint.
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Abstract
A spinal facet fusion implant comprising:
- an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; and
- at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis;
- wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint;
- and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint.
243 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A spinal facet fusion implant comprising:
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an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; and at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis; wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint; and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for fusing a spinal facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a spinal facet fusion implant comprising; an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; and at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis; wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint; and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint; deploying the spinal facet fusion implant in the facet joint so that the elongated body is simultaneously positioned within both of the facets of the facet joint and the at least one stabilizer is positioned within the gap between the spinal facets; and maintaining the spinal facet fusion implant in this position while fusion occurs. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A spinal facet fusion implant comprising:
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an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile which is characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint; and further wherein the cross-sectional profile is non-circular.
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36. A method for fusing a spinal facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a spinal facet fusion implant comprising; an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile which is characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint; and further wherein the cross-sectional profile is non-circular; deploying the spinal facet fusion implant in the facet joint so that the elongated body is simultaneously positioned within both of the facets of the facet joint; and maintaining the spinal facet fusion implant in this position while fusion occurs.
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37. A joint fusion implant comprising:
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an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; and at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis; wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the bones making up the joint; and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the bones making up the joint.
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38. A method for fusing a joint, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a fusion implant comprising; an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; and at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis; wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the bones making up the joint; and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the bones making up the joint; deploying the fusion implant in the joint so that the elongated body is simultaneously positioned within both of the bones of the joint and the at least one stabilizer is positioned within the gap between the bones; and maintaining the fusion implant in this position while fusion occurs.
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Specification