Facet Joint Implant and Related Methods

• US 20110060366A1
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Inventors: Eisermann, Lukas, Heim, Stephen, Reah, Christopher, Pimenta, Luiz, McLeod, Alan, Butcher, Peter
• Application Number:
  US12/667,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20110060366A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• 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 17/683 comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• 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

Abstract

Implants and methods aimed at safely repairing and/or reconstructing the facet joint so as to provide the required flexibility and elasticity to support continued motion after the implant has been implanted in a facet joint.

Claims

1. A system for repairing a facet joint, said facet joint existing between a superior articular process of a first vertebra and an inferior articular process of a second vertebra, comprising:

a biocompatible implant configured for positioning within said facet joint, said implant including a spacer and an attachment element; and

a fixation element configured to engage said attachment element to secure said implant to at least one of said superior and inferior articular processes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said implant further includes a textile jacket configured to at least partially encapsulate said spacer.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said textile jacket is formed from at least one fibrous material from the group consisting of polyester fiber, polypropylene, polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, poly-ether-ether-ketone, carbon fiber, glass, glass fiber, polyaramide, metal, copolymers, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, biodegradable fibers, nylon, silk, cellulosic and polycaprolactone fibers.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said textile jacket comprises a structure formed by at least one of embroidery, weaving, three-dimensional weaving, knitting, three-dimensional knitting, injection molding, compression molding, cutting woven fabrics and cutting knitted fabrics.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said attachment element comprises at least one flange extending from said textile jacket.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said at least one flange is at least one of attached to and integral with said textile jacket.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein said textile jacket further includes a pad positioned upon an engagement interface between said textile jacket and one of said superior and inferior articular process, said pad including a biologic agent to encourage fusion between said textile jacket and said articular process.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the textile jacket includes at least one pocket dimensioned to receive a portion of an insertion tool.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said spacer comprises a textile fabric material formed from at least one of synthetic fibers and natural fibers.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein said attachment element comprises at least one of a bone-engaging surface of said spacer, a protrusion extending generally orthogonally from said spacer, and an aperture extending through said spacer, said aperture configured to receive said fixation element therethrough.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said protrusion comprises at least one of a flexible strip, at least one cord, and a rigid post.

7-8. -8. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

14-19. -19. (canceled)

20. The system of claim 0, wherein said spacer comprises a stack of textile layer regions stacked on top of one another.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said stack is formed from at least one of a plurality of individual textile layer elements consecutively stacked on top of one another, a plurality of hingedly connected individual textile layer regions folded on top of one another, and a single continuous textile sheet folded upon itself to form a plurality of stacked textile layer regions.

22-26. -26. (canceled)

29-63. -63. (canceled)

64. A method of repairing a facet joint, said facet joint existing between a superior articular process of a first vertebra and an inferior articular process of a second vertebra, each of said superior and inferior articular processes having an interior facet surface forming a portion of the facet joint and an exterior surface opposite said interior facet surface, comprising the steps of:

(a) creating an operative corridor to access said facet joint;

(b) forming an aperture in at least one of said first and second articular processes, said aperture extending from said interior facet surface to said exterior surface of said articular process;

(c) advancing a biocompatible implant through said operative corridor toward said facet joint, said implant comprising a spacer including at least one attachment element extending therefrom, said attachment element configured to engage a fixation element to secure said implant within said facet joint;

(d) positioning said implant within said facet joint such that said attachment element traverses said aperture from said interior facet surface and at least a portion of said attachment element protrudes from said aperture on said exterior surface of said articular process;

(e) securing said implant within said facet joint by engaging a fixation element with said attachment element portion protruding from said aperture; and

(f) closing said operative corridor.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said implant further includes a textile jacket configured to at least partially encapsulate said spacer.

68. The method of claim 65, wherein said attachment element comprises at least one flange extending from said textile jacket.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said at least one flange is at least one of attached to and integral with said textile jacket.

72. The method of claim 65, wherein said textile jacket further includes a pad positioned upon an engagement interface between said textile jacket and one of said superior and inferior articular process, said pad including a biologic agent to encourage fusion between said textile jacket and said articular process.

74. The method of claim 65, wherein the textile jacket includes at least one pocket dimensioned to receive a portion of an insertion tool.

66-67. -67. (canceled)

70-71. -71. (canceled)

73. (canceled)

75-93. -93. (canceled)

94. A method of repairing a facet joint, said facet joint existing between a superior articular process of a first vertebra and an inferior articular process of a second vertebra, each of said superior and inferior articular processes having an interior facet surface forming a portion of the facet joint and an exterior surface opposite said interior facet surface, comprising the steps of:

(a) creating an operative corridor to access said facet joint;

(b) forming an aperture at least partially through one of said first and second articular processes;

(c) inserting a fixation element into said aperture, said fixation element having at least one tie-cord extending therefrom;

(d) engaging said at least one tie-cord with a biocompatible implant, said implant comprising a spacer including a recess formed therein, said recess configured to receive at least a portion of said fixation element to secure said implant within said facet joint;

(e) advancing said biocompatible implant through said operative corridor toward said facet joint;

(f) securing said implant within said facet joint by tying said tie-cords around at least a portion of said implant; and

(g) closing said operative corridor.

95-123. -123. (canceled)