Inter-cervical facet implant and method

• US 7,601,170 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2005
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Flynn, John J., Mitchell, Steven T., Zucherman, James F., Winslow, Charles J., Hsu, Ken Y., Yerby, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrett; Thomas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Araj; Michael J
• Application Number:
  US11/053,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20060149272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,708 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/86, 606/90, 606246-249, 606/279, 606/86.A, 606/86.B, 623 1711- 1716
• 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 17/7007 Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit around the screw or hook heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/701 Longitudinal elements with a non-circular, e.g. rectangular, cross-section A61B17/7005, A61B17/7007 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7022 Tethers, i.e. longitudinal elements capable of transmitting tension only, e.g. straps, sutures or cables A61B17/702 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7028 the flexible part being a coil spring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7071 Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8042 the additional component being a cover over the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/8655 with special features for locking in the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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

Abstract

Systems and method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can include an implant for positioning within a cervical facet joint for distracting the cervical spine, thereby increasing the area of the canals and openings through which the spinal cord and nerves must pass, and decreasing pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The implant can be inserted laterally or posteriorly.

Claims

1. A method for implanting a cervical facet implant in a cervical facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:

accessing a first cervical facet joint;

urging a facet joint spacer of the implant into the first cervical facet;

positioning a plate, flexibly attached to the facet joint spacer, relative to the facet joint spacer and against a vertebra;

anchoring the plate to the vertebra;

positioning a locking plate over the plate and inserting a keel of the locking plate into the vertebra; and

fastening the locking plate to the plate.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the inserting step further comprises cutting a groove into a lateral mass with the keel.

3. A method for implanting a cervical facet implant in a cervical facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:

accessing a first cervical facet joint;

urging a facet joint spacer of the implant into the first cervical facet joint, so that the facet joint spacer positioned in the first cervical facet joint distracts the first cervical facet joint;

positioning a plate flexibly connected to the facet joint spacer relative to the facet joint spacer and to a vertebra;

anchoring the plate of the implant to the vertebra, wherein the application of said method increases the foraminal dimension and allows mobility of the implanted first cervical facet joint; and

placing a locking plate over the plate to prevent rotational displacement of the plate.

4. The method as in claim 3 including inserting a keel of the implant into the vertebra to prevent rotational displacement of the plate.

5. A method for implanting a cervical facet implant in a cervical facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:

accessing a first cervical facet joint;

urging a facet joint spacer of the implant into the first cervical facet joint;

positioning a plate, flexibly attached to the facet joint spacer, relative to the facet joint spacer and against a vertebra by pivoting the plate relative to the facet joint spacer using a hinge that connects the plate to the facet joint spacer;

anchoring the plate to the vertebra;

positioning a locking plate over the plate, the positioning step further comprising the steps of;

anchoring the plate with a screw;

inserting a probe of the locking plate into a first bore of the plate to block the screw that anchors the plate to the vertebra;

embedding a keel of the locking plate into the vertebra;

aligning a second bore through the plate with a third bore of the locking plate; and

securing the locking plate to the plate with a second screw through the second bore and the third bore.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the embedding and aligning steps occur substantially simultaneously.