Facet prosthesis

• US 6,966,930 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2003
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Premia Spine Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Impliant Ltd. (Premia Spine Ltd.)
• Inventors: Arnin, Uri, Sudin, Yuri, Tauber, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): COMSTOCK, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US10/735,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/63, 606/76, 606/78, 623/17.11, 623/17.12, 623/17.13, 623/17.15, 623/17.16, 623/23.47, 623/23.5
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• 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 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30742 Bellows or hose-like seals; Sealing membranes A61B17/8808 takes precedence; sealing membranes for retaining bone substitute A61F2/2846
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30744 End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30069 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30143 hexagonal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30242 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30291 spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30639 having rolling elements between both articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0017 Angular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0071 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 : Polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/911 : Memory material

Abstract

An article including a facet prosthesis at least partially mounted in a lumen artificially formed between superior and inferior halves of a facet joint, and an elastomeric cushioning element disposed in the facet prosthesis.

Claims

1. An article comprising:

a facet prosthesis at least partially mounted in a lumen artificially formed between superior and inferior halves of a facet joint; and

an elastomeric cushioning element disposed in said facet prosthesis, wherein said elastomeric cushioning element includes first and second mechanical fasteners at opposite ends thereof which are attachable to superior and inferior halves of the facet joint,

wherein said first and second mechanical fasteners comprise an expandable sleeve member, the facet prosthesis further comprising a wedge insertable into said expandable sleeve member, wherein the sleeve expands radially upon insertion of the wedge into the sleeve.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein said expandable sleeve member has an axial slit formed therein.

3. The article according to claim 1, wherein said elastomeric cushioning element includes a wire coil coated with an elastomeric material disposed in said lumen and sealed in said lumen with end caps.

4. The article according to claim 3, wherein said wire coil is constructed of a shape memory alloy.

5. An article comprising:

a facet prosthesis at least partially mounted in a lumen artificially formed between superior and inferior halves of a facet joint; and

an elastomeric cushioning element disposed in said facet prosthesis, wherein said elastomeric cushioning element includes a plurality of elastomeric balls disposed in said lumen and sealed in said lumen with end caps.