IMPLANTABLE FACET FUSION DEVICES

• US 20130253649A1
• Filed: 02/19/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy T. Davis
• Original Assignee: Timothy T. Davis
• Inventors: DAVIS, Timothy T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,717,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1615 Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• 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, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/46 Special tools or methods for implanting or extracting artificial joints, accessories, bone grafts or substitutes, or particular adaptations therefor

Abstract

Implantable devices for the treatment of degenerative facet joint disease, and more specifically to implantable devices for the immobilization or fusion of degenerated facet joints, particularly of the cervical spine are provided. The devices may be easily inserted into the facet joint, promoting fusion and initiating a natural healing response. Also provided are methods of treating degeneration of a facet joint using these implantable devices.

Claims

1. An implantable device for cervical facet fusion, comprising:

an elongate main body extending between a first, leading end and a second, trailing end, the first, leading end terminating into a tapered nose having a sharp cutting edge, and a plurality of cutting fins arranged along a helical spiral down the length of the elongate main body.

2. The device of claim 1, further including grating holes along the elongate main body.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the grating holes include covers having sharp, cutting edges.

4. The device of claim 1, further including a tool-engaging opening at the second, trailing end.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate main body is cannulated.

6. The device of claim 1, further being biologically active.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the device includes a biologically active coating.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the device is formed of a biologically active material.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the device includes a biologically active material.

10. An implantable device for cervical facet fusion, comprising:

an elongate main body extending between a first, leading end and a second, trailing end, the first, leading end terminating into a tapered nose having a sharp cutting edge, and a plurality of openings along the length of the elongate main body.

11. A method of treating degeneration of a facet joint, comprising:

providing an implantable device comprising an elongate main body extending between a first, leading end and a second, trailing end, the first, leading end terminating into a tapered nose having a sharp cutting edge, and a plurality of cutting fins arranged along a helical spiral down the length of the elongate main body;

drilling a pilot hole into a targeted site of the facet joint to be treated;

inserting the implantable device into the pilot hole; and

delivering the implantable device into the targeted site.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the facet joint is a cervical facet joint.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of drilling causes debridement.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the pilot hole has a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the implantable device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the pilot hole is non-linear.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of using an articular drill bit to drill the pilot hole.

17. The method of claim 11, further including the step of inserting a guidewire to the targeted site of the facet joint to be treated.

18. The method of claim 11, further including the step of identifying a second targeted site of a facet joint to be treated, the second targeted site located on an opposite side of the spine.

19. The method of claim 18, further including repeating the steps of drilling, inserting and delivering to the second, targeted site.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the implantable device is placed along a plane of the facet joint.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the implantable device is placed across the facet joint.