LATERAL MASS FIXATION IMPLANT

• US 20150342648A1
• Filed: 05/27/2015
• Published: 12/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bruce M. Mccormack, Christopher U. Phan, Edward Liou, Jeffrey D. Smith, Krzysztof Siemionow, Shigeru Tanaka, Todd Sheppard Saunders
• Inventors: LIOU, Edward, TANAKA, Shigeru, PHAN, Christopher U., McCORMACK, Bruce M., SMITH, Jeffrey D., SAUNDERS, Todd Sheppard, SIEMIONOW, Krzysztof
• Application Number:
  US14/723,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20150342648A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7002 Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7035 Screws or hooks, wherein a rod-clamping part and a bone-anchoring part can pivot relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/809 with bone-penetrating elements, e.g. blades or prongs bone staples A61B17/0642; intramedullary nails with a plate at an end A61B17/7233
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/564 Methods for bone or joint treatment

Abstract

The various embodiments described herein provide lateral mass and facet fixation implants, which may be inserted and applied via a posterior approach, using minimally invasive or less invasive techniques. The embodiments described below generally include an intrafacet implant (or “facet implant”) and a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant. The lateral mass fixation member can include one or more tabs extending from a middle portion and configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae. The tabs may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, and may be collapsible to facilitate insertion of the device. Methods for delivering the lateral mass and facet fixation implants are also described.

Claims

1. A spinal implant system, comprising:

a facet implant member for positioning in a facet joint; and

a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant member.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the facet implant member and the lateral mass fixation member are two separate devices that are attachable in situ.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein the facet implant member comprises a peg and the lateral mass fixation member comprises a hole formed therethrough for receiving the peg.

4. A system as in claim 3, wherein the peg has one of a round shape, a square shape, and a polygonal shape.

5. A system as in claim 2, wherein the lateral mass fixation member comprises a plate, and wherein the plate comprises:

a middle portion;

an opening in the middle portion configured to allow passage of a screw to connect the plate with the facet implant member; and

two tabs extending from opposite sides of the middle portion to contact lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein the tabs comprise one or more surface features extending from the tabs for securing the tabs to the lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae.

7. A system as in claim 5, wherein the tabs have one or more holes formed therethrough to receive one or more fixation devices configured to secure the tabs to the lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae.

8. A system as in claim 5, wherein the tabs extend from the sides of the middle portion via hinges and the tabs are rotatable about the hinges relative to the middle portion.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the facet implant member and the lateral mass member comprise one, attached device.

10. A system as in claim 9, wherein the lateral mass fixation member comprises two tabs that extend from the facet implant member to contact lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein the tabs are moveable from a collapsed configuration for delivery of the system into a patient to an expanded configuration for attachment to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae.

12. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a guide member for guiding at least one of the facet implant member or the lateral mass fixation member to a spine for attachment thereto.

13. A system as in claim 1, wherein the lateral mass fixation member comprises:

a first portion configured to attach to the facet implant member; and

a second portion coupled to and forming an angle with the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae.

14. A system as in claim 1, wherein the lateral mass fixation member comprises:

an anchor including an attachment device for attaching to the facet implant and a rod receiving member; and

a rod received in the anchor to secure the system to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae.

15. A method for implanting a spinal fixation implant, the method comprising:

inserting a facet implant member in a facet joint; and

attaching a lateral mass fixation member to the facet implant member.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein attaching the lateral mass fixation member comprises screwing the lateral mass fixation member to the facet implant member.

17. A method as in claim 16, further comprising:

attaching a guide rod to the facet implant member;

positioning the lateral fixation member adjacent to the facet implant via the guide rod; and

removing the guide rod.

18. A method as in claim 15, wherein inserting the facet implant comprises delivering the facet implant via a guide tube.

19. A method for implanting a spinal fixation implant, the method comprising:

inserting a facet implant member of a fixation system in a facet joint; and

expanding a lateral mass fixation member of the fixation system to contact lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae.

20. A method as in claim 19, further comprising attached the lateral mass fixation member to the lateral masses using at least one screw.