Prosthesis for the replacement of a posterior element of a vertebra
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A prosthesis for the replacement of a posterior element of a natural vertebra, the natural vertebra comprising two natural superior facets, two natural inferior facets, and a natural lamina, the prosthesis comprising:
- a first prosthetic superior facet to replace a first natural superior facet;
a second prosthetic superior facet to replace a second natural superior facet;
a first prosthetic inferior facet to replace a first natural inferior facet; and
a second prosthetic inferior facet to replace a second natural inferior facet;
a first prosthetic mount securable to the natural vertebra through the use of a first fixation member;
a second prosthetic mount securable to the natural vertebra through the use of a second fixation member; and
a nonplanar interconnecting structure that rigidly interconnects the first and second prosthetic superior facets and the first and second prosthetic inferior facets with each other;
wherein the first and second prosthetic mounts are positioned relative to the interconnecting structure such that, after attachment of the first and second prosthetic mounts to the vertebra, the prosthesis exclusively contacts resected surfaces of the vertebra.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A prosthetic replacement for a posterior element of a vertebra comprising portions that replace the natural lamina and the four natural facets. The prosthetic replacement may also include portions that replace one or more of the natural spinous process and the two natural transverse processes. If desired, the prosthesis replacement may also replace the natural pedicles. A method for replacing a posterior element of a vertebra is also provided.
437 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A prosthesis for the replacement of a posterior element of a natural vertebra, the natural vertebra comprising two natural superior facets, two natural inferior facets, and a natural lamina, the prosthesis comprising:
-
a first prosthetic superior facet to replace a first natural superior facet; a second prosthetic superior facet to replace a second natural superior facet; a first prosthetic inferior facet to replace a first natural inferior facet; and a second prosthetic inferior facet to replace a second natural inferior facet; a first prosthetic mount securable to the natural vertebra through the use of a first fixation member; a second prosthetic mount securable to the natural vertebra through the use of a second fixation member; and a nonplanar interconnecting structure that rigidly interconnects the first and second prosthetic superior facets and the first and second prosthetic inferior facets with each other; wherein the first and second prosthetic mounts are positioned relative to the interconnecting structure such that, after attachment of the first and second prosthetic mounts to the vertebra, the prosthesis exclusively contacts resected surfaces of the vertebra. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A prosthesis for the replacement of a posterior element of a natural vertebra, the natural vertebra comprising four natural facets, a natural lamina, and a natural spinous process, the prosthesis comprising:
-
four prosthetic facets shaped and positioned to replace the four natural facets; a prosthetic spinous process; and interconnecting structure configured to rigidly interconnect the four prosthetic facets and the prosthetic spinous process, wherein the interconnecting structure comprises a prosthetic lamina; wherein each of the four prosthetic facets comprises a flange extending from the prosthetic lamina. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for replacing a posterior element of a natural vertebra, the natural vertebra comprising four natural facets and a natural lamina, the method comprising:
-
providing access to at least a portion of the natural vertebra; resecting the vertebra to remove at least the posterior element, thereby providing a plurality of resected surfaces of the natural vertebra; and attaching a prosthesis to the natural vertebra to replace all four of the natural facets with four prosthetic facets rigidly interconnected by a nonplanar interconnecting structure such that, after attachment of the prosthesis to the vertebra, the prosthesis exclusively contacts resected surfaces of the vertebra. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification