FACET FIXATION DEVICE

• US 20140114418A1
• Filed: 10/23/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinesmith Partners L P
• Original Assignee: Spinesmith Partners L P
• Inventors: Landry, Michael, Dunworth, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 9,456,904 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442

Abstract

The invention features an implant assembly for stabilization of a facet joint including an implant having a U-shaped body. The U-shaped body comprises a rounded front end, an open back end, first and second elongated components extending from the rounded front end, forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end and a helical structure extending within the U-shaped body that serves as a locking mechanism.

Claims

1. An implant assembly for stabilization of a spinal facet joint including an implant having a U-shaped body wherein the U-shaped body comprises a rounded front end, an open back end, first and second elongated components extending from the rounded front end, forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end and a helical structure extending within the U-shaped body that serves as a locking mechanism.

2. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein grooves or threads are introduced in the first and second elongated components.

3. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the helical structure locks the U-shaped body in place within a joint.

4. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein insertion of the U-shaped body distracts the facet joint.

5. The implant assembly of claim 4, wherein biologically active materials meant to promote fusion (i.e. stem cells, bone void filler, etc.) can be inserted into the space created by the insertion of the implant assembly.

6. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises bilateral placement of two sets of devices.

7. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is used in conjunction with an intervertebral implant.