Replacement facet joint and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A prosthesis for the repair of a cervical facet joint comprising:
- a superior component including a first articulating portion and a first mounting portion, said first articulating portion consisting essentially of a first flat articulating surface that extends from said first mounting portion at a fixed angle of about 45°
, said first articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of a cervical facet joint; and
an inferior component including a second articulating portion and a second mounting portion, said second articulating portion consisting essentially of a second flat articulating surface that extends from said second mounting portion at a fixed angle of about 135°
, said second articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of the cervical facet joint in an overlapping arrangement with said first articulating portion;
said first flat articulating surface and said second flat articulating surface being positionable flatly against one another to permit simultaneous insertion of said first articulating portion and said second articulating portion between the facets of the cervical facet joint;
said first mounting portion and said second mounting portion being adapted for posterior attachment to respective first and second lateral mass structures adjacent to the cervical facet joint such that said first flat articulating surface and said second flat articulating surface can slide against one another in more than one direction between the facets of the cervical facet joint.
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Abstract
Prostheses and methods for repair of a cervical facet joint. The articulating surfaces of the natural facets of the facet joint are removed only a sufficient amount to allow the insertion of flat or slightly curvilinear portions of prostheses therebetween in an overlapping relationship. The portions are so inserted and the prostheses mounted by attachment to adjacent vertebrae. Also, a single natural facet may be similarly repaired with a single prosthesis.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A prosthesis for the repair of a cervical facet joint comprising:
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a superior component including a first articulating portion and a first mounting portion, said first articulating portion consisting essentially of a first flat articulating surface that extends from said first mounting portion at a fixed angle of about 45°
, said first articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of a cervical facet joint; andan inferior component including a second articulating portion and a second mounting portion, said second articulating portion consisting essentially of a second flat articulating surface that extends from said second mounting portion at a fixed angle of about 135°
, said second articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of the cervical facet joint in an overlapping arrangement with said first articulating portion;said first flat articulating surface and said second flat articulating surface being positionable flatly against one another to permit simultaneous insertion of said first articulating portion and said second articulating portion between the facets of the cervical facet joint; said first mounting portion and said second mounting portion being adapted for posterior attachment to respective first and second lateral mass structures adjacent to the cervical facet joint such that said first flat articulating surface and said second flat articulating surface can slide against one another in more than one direction between the facets of the cervical facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A prosthesis for the repair of a cervical facet joint comprising:
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a superior component having a single articulating portion and a mounting portion, said superior component mounting portion extending from said superior component articulating portion in a manner providing a fixed angle of about 45°
between said superior component articulating portion and said superior component mounting portion, said superior component articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of a cervical facet joint and including a flat articulating surface; andan inferior component having a single articulating portion and a mounting portion, said inferior component mounting portion extending from said inferior component articulating portion in a manner providing a fixed angle of about 135°
between said inferior component articulating portion and said inferior component mounting portion, said inferior component articulating portion being sized and configured for placement between the facets of the cervical facet joint in an overlapping arrangement with said superior component articulating portion and including a flat articulating surface,said superior component articulating portion and said inferior component articulating portion being positionable against one another to permit simultaneous insertion of the respective articulating portions between the facets of the cervical facet joint, said superior component mounting portion and said inferior component mounting portion being adapted for posterior attachment to respective first and second lateral mass structures adjacent to the cervical facet joint such that the respective flat articulating surfaces of said superior component articulating portion and said inferior component articulating portion can slide against one another in more than one direction between the facets of the cervical facet joint, with the respective flat articulating surfaces representing essentially the entire area of contact between the superior component articulating portion and the inferior component articulating portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification