Facet joint implants and delivery tools
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A spinal joint distraction system comprising:
- a driver assembly including;
a tubular shaft having a longitudinal axis; and
a pair of implant holder arms positioned on a distal end of the tubular shaft, the arms configured to hold a spinal implant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a driver assembly with a tubular shaft, a pair of implant holder arms, an implant distractor, an internal actuator, and a distractor knob, the system also including a delivery device with a tubular shaft, a receiving assembly, and a pair of forks, where the delivery device is adapted for slidable insertion of the driver assembly, the system also including an implant, a chisel, and an injector. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.
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Citations
97 Claims
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1. A spinal joint distraction system comprising:
a driver assembly including; a tubular shaft having a longitudinal axis; and a pair of implant holder arms positioned on a distal end of the tubular shaft, the arms configured to hold a spinal implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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an upper member and a lower member, the upper and lower member being generally rectangular and each having a distal edge, a proximal edge, and two parallel lateral edges, the upper and lower member positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to each other and having an inner surface and an outer surface, the distal edges of the upper and lower member connected to each other and the proximal edges adapted to receive an implant distractor; and teeth positioned along the lateral edges of at least one of the upper or lower member and extending outwardly. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 97)
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37. A method of distracting a facet joint of the spine comprising:
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inserting a delivery device to access the facet joint of a patient; inserting a driver assembly holding an implant into the delivery device; and actuating the driver assembly thereby distracting the implant. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
an upper member, a lower member and a proximal member, the upper and lower members being generally rectangular and each having a distal edge and two parallel lateral edges, the upper and lower members extending generally continuously into each other to form the proximal member, the upper and lower member positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to each other and having an inner surface and an outer surface, the proximal member being generally perpendicular relative to the upper and lower members, at least one of the upper and lower members further including threaded slots adapted to receive threads of an implant distractor and outwardly extending teeth positioned along the lateral edges of at least one of the upper or lower members. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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43. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a threaded bolt with a proximal end terminating in a head; a proximal non-threaded block positioned along the bolt and abutting the head of the bolt; a distal threaded block positioned a distance away from the proximal threaded block; and a plurality of expansion members positioned between the proximal and the distal threaded blocks. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
a pair of stacked structures separated by a sloping plane, the structures having an engagement surface along the plane including ratchet teeth. - View Dependent Claims (49, 92)
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50. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
a generally tapered shaft in the form of a screw, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having a length, the shaft having threads along an outer surface for engaging articular surfaces of a facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 86)
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61. A spinal distraction implant comprising a plate and a orthogonally positioned bumper, the superior aspect of the bumper having a rounded surface for opposing the lateral mass of a superior vertebra, the implant including an anchoring screw for securing the implant to a lateral mass of a facet joint.
- 62. A spinal distraction implant comprising a wedge insertable between facet surfaces, the wedge having teeth on at least one of an anterior and inferior surface thereof.
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64. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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an anterior hook; a posterior hook; and a bolt joining the anterior and posterior hook. - View Dependent Claims (65, 67)
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66. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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an insert; and tabs positioned to extend orthogonally from a proximal end of the insert.
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68. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a collapsible diamond shaped structure including; two opposing threaded corners; and two opposing non-threaded corners including pads; and a bolt threaded through the threaded corners of the diamond shaped structure; wherein, actuating the bolt draws the threaded corners together and extends the non-threaded corners.
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69. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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an upper member; a lower member; a hinge connecting the upper member to the lower member; and a brace member for maintaining the implant in an open position.
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70. A spinal distraction implant comprising a generally cylindrically shaped member including at least two sections separated by a slot, the sections connected together at distal ends to form a tip, the member adapted to receive a screw to cause it to expand, the outer surface of the sections including teeth for engaging articular surfaces of a facet joint.
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71. A method of securing a superior verterbra comprising:
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applying a force to the superior vertebra to increase the foraminal area between the superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra; and placing an angled screw through a superior facet, through a facet capsule, and into an inferior facet.
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72. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a collapsible triangular shaped implant including; a central shaft; and at least two springing leaves connected to the distal end of the shaft, extending proximally along the shaft, and biased in a direction to form an arrow shape; wherein, the implant may be collapsed within a tube and delivered to a site where the tube is removed and the implant is allowed to expand.
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- 73. A spinal distraction implant comprising a facet spacer plate and screw, wherein the screw may be inserted diagonally through a facet surface to engage the facet spacer plate thereby forcing separation of a facet joint.
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75. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a first bracket; a second bracket; and a bolt extending between the brackets; wherein, the brackets are adapted to separate when the bolt is turned. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77)
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78. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a triangular shaped wedge; an anchor screw positioned diagonally through the wedge; and a malleable flap extending from the wedge including teeth for engaging a lateral mass of a facet joint.
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79. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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an anchoring plug; an expandable plate; and two external plates; wherein securing the external plates to a lateral mass of a facet joint and inserting the expandable plug causes the facet joint to separate.
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80. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a delivery system; and at least two nitinol hooks; wherein the hooks may be flattened and inserted with the delivery system; and
once in place may be allowed to assume their pre-flattened shape.
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81. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a hollow screw sleeve having barbs adapted to be ejected from a retracted position; and a wedge adapted to be inserted in the hollow screw sleeve to eject the barbs.
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82. A spinal distraction implant comprising a collapsible nut positioned over a bolt, the bolt defining a longitudinal axis, wherein advancing the bolt causes the nut to collapse along the longitudinal axis in an accordion shape, thereby expanding laterally.
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83. A spinal distraction implant comprising a collapsible plate positioned over a bolt, the bolt defining a longitudinal axis, wherein advancing the bolt causes the plate to collapse along the longitudinal axis in an accordion shape, thereby expanding laterally.
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84. A spinal distraction implant comprising a wire surrounding a block in a helical fashion, the wire adapted to contract and expand laterally when pulled taught or released respectively.
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85. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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an outer housing; and an internal spring; wherein, the housing is biased to be in a laterally broad position when the spring is in a neutral position.
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87. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a pair of stacked structures separated by a sloping plane; and a fastener positioned at an angle through the pair of structures thereby preventing relative movement along the plane.
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88. A spinal distraction implant comprising a collapsible cylinder with side cutouts, the cylinder made from a resilient elastic material.
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89. A spinal distraction implant comprising a distal tip of a delivery tool, wherein the tip is adapted to distract a facet joint and detach from the delivery tool.
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90. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a housing; a central gear rotatably positioned within the housing; two plates slidably positioned in the housing and positioned opposite one another adjacent to the central gear and including teeth for engaging the gear; wherein, rotating the gear slidably extends the plates beyond an outer surface of the housing in opposite directions.
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91. A spinal distraction implant comprising a triangularly bent plate with a first and second bracket on each side, the first bracket adapted to receive an anchor screw and the second bracket including teeth for biting into a lateral mass of a facet joint.
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93. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a rotatable cone with a longitudinal axis including a shoulder with a ledge defining a cam surface; and an anchor screw; wherein the shoulder is adapted to be inserted into a facet joint and the implant rotated to cause a superior facet to ride upward along the facet surface and distract the joint, wherein the screw may be advanced to secure the implant.
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94. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a housing with penetrations for ejection of spikes; internal spikes positioned with the housing and in alignment with the penetrations; and an internal wire routed through the spike positions; wherein, pulling the wire taught forces the spikes from housing to engage articular surfaces of a facet joint.
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95. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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a housing; a cavity within the housing; penetrations on lateral surfaces of the housing extending from the cavity through the wall of the housing; spikes positioned to be ejected through the penetrations, the spikes having a beveled inner surface; and a piston having a torpedo shaped distal end positioned within the cavity; wherein advancing the piston engages the torpedo shaped distal end with the beveled inner surface of the spikes causing them to eject through the penetrations and engage articular surfaces of a facet joint.
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96. A spinal distraction implant comprising:
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two parallel equal length side bars; and at least two struts pivotably positioned between the side bars at each end, the struts having textured surfaces on each end thereof; wherein, the struts may be pivoted to lie in plane with and parallel side bars and once in position in a facet joint, may be pivoted substantially perpendicular to the side bars to distract the facet joint.
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Specification