Multiple facet joint replacement

• US 7,618,455 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Facet Solutions, Inc. (Globus Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hoy, Robert W., Fallin, T. Wade, Goble, E. Marlowe
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene; Pedro
• Application Number:
  US11/456,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20060265069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716, 606/61, 606/70, 606/71, 606/72, 606/73, 606/290, 606/246, 606/247
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• 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: Y10S 606/907 Composed of particular material or coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 Polymer

Abstract

A prosthesis for the replacement of multiple diseased or traumatized spinal facets comprises a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the facets to be replaced and where the prosthesis attaches to the vertebra in a manner that does not require attachment to, or abutment against, the lamina. Multiple configurations of the prosthesis provide for replacement of the two inferior facets, the two superior facets, a superior and inferior facet, or all four facets. A method of installing the prosthesis is provided that is comprised of the steps of resecting at least a portion of the facets that carry the diseased or traumatized spinal facets and attaching the prosthesis in a manner that does not require attachment or abutment against the lamina.

Claims

1. An implant for replacing at least a left inferior facet and a right inferior facet of a first vertebra comprising a natural lamina, a natural left inferior facet, and a natural right inferior facet, the implant comprising:

a left inferior articular surface shaped to replace the natural left inferior facet;

a right inferior articular surface shaped to replace the natural right inferior facet; and

a bridge extending along a substantially straight path between the left and right articular surfaces to couple the left and right inferior articular surfaces together;

wherein the bridge comprises a cross sectional shape perpendicular to the path that remains uniform over at least a portion of a length of the path.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the left and right inferior articular surfaces are attachable to the first vertebra independently of attachment to a transverse process of the first vertebra.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the cross sectional shape remains substantially uniform along substantially all of the length of the path.

4. The implant of claim 1, wherein the path extends substantially medial-laterally.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the left and right inferior articular surfaces are positioned substantially in-line with the path.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the bridge couples the left and right inferior articular surfaces together in such a manner that the left and right inferior articular surfaces are non-adjustably positionable relative to each other.

7. The implant of claim 6, wherein the left and right inferior articular surfaces are formed as a single piece with the bridge.

8. An implant for replacing at least a left facet and a right facet of a first vertebra comprising a natural lamina, a natural left facet, and a natural right facet, the implant comprising:

a left articular surface shaped to replace the natural left facet;

a right articular surface shaped to replace the natural right facet; and

a bridge extending along a substantially straight path to couple the left and right articular surfaces together such that the left and right articular surfaces are positioned substantially in-line with the substantially straight path;

wherein the bridge comprises a cross sectional shape perpendicular to the path that remains uniform over at least a portion of a length of the path.

9. The implant of claim 8, wherein the left and right articular surfaces are attachable to the first vertebra independently of attachment to a transverse process of the first vertebra.

10. The implant of claim 8, wherein the cross sectional shape remains substantially uniform along substantially all of the length of the path.

11. The implant of claim 8, wherein the path extends substantially medial-laterally.

12. The implant of claim 8, wherein the left and right articular surfaces comprise left and right inferior articular surfaces shaped to articulate with left and right superior articular surfaces of a second vertebra inferior to the first vertebra.

13. The implant of claim 8, wherein the bridge couples the left and right articular surfaces together in such a manner that the left and right articular surfaces are non-adjustably positionable relative to each other.

14. The implant of claim 13, wherein the left and right articular surfaces are formed as a single piece with the bridge.

15. An implant for replacing at least a left facet and a right facet of a first vertebra comprising a natural lamina, a natural left facet, and a natural right facet, the implant comprising:

a left articular surface shaped to replace the natural left facet;

a right articular surface shaped to replace the natural right facet; and

a bridge formed as a single piece with the left articular surface and the right articular surface to couple the left and right articular surfaces together;

wherein the bridge occupies a volume between the left and right articular surfaces;

wherein at least one of the left and right articular surfaces comprises an inferior articular surface shaped to articulate with a superior articular surface of a second vertebra inferior to the first vertebra.

16. The implant of claim 15, wherein the left and right articular surfaces are attachable to the first vertebra independently of attachment to a transverse process of the first vertebra.

17. The implant of claim 15, wherein the bridge comprises a cross sectional shape that remains substantially uniform along substantially all of the length of the path.

18. The implant of claim 15, wherein the bridge extends along a substantially straight path between the left and right articular surfaces.

19. The implant of claim 15, wherein the path extends substantially medial-laterally.

20. The implant of claim 15, wherein the left and right articular surfaces comprise left and right inferior articular surfaces shaped to articulate with left and right superior articular surfaces of a second vertebra inferior to the first vertebra.