Facet joint fusion devices and methods
First Claim
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1. A method for promoting fusion of a facet joint between two processes having opposing surfaces on adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:
- preparing at least one of the opposing surfaces of the two processes of the facet joint, within the facet joint, by removing cartilage from the at least one surface; and
clamping the facet joint including a superior articular process (SAP) of an inferior vertebra and an inferior articular process (IAP) of a superior vertebra to apply a compressive force across the facet joint, wherein the compressive force promotes fusion of the facet joint wherein clamping comprises engaging plates against the surfaces of each process, wherein the plates have curved surfaces which conform to the surfaces of the processes.
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Abstract
A method for promoting fusion of and/or stabilizing a facet joint between two adjacent vertebrae comprises clamping the two adjacent vertebrae across the facet joint to apply a compressive force across the joint. Apparatus for promoting fusion of and/or stabilizing a facet joint comprises at least one cinchable tether and at least one locking member coupled with the tether for locking the cinched tether to maintain compressive force across the facet joint. The tether is adapted to extend through at least one hole through each of two adjacent vertebrae, across the facet joint.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for promoting fusion of a facet joint between two processes having opposing surfaces on adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:
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preparing at least one of the opposing surfaces of the two processes of the facet joint, within the facet joint, by removing cartilage from the at least one surface; and clamping the facet joint including a superior articular process (SAP) of an inferior vertebra and an inferior articular process (IAP) of a superior vertebra to apply a compressive force across the facet joint, wherein the compressive force promotes fusion of the facet joint wherein clamping comprises engaging plates against the surfaces of each process, wherein the plates have curved surfaces which conform to the surfaces of the processes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21)
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17. A method of applying force across a facet joint between two vertebrae, the method comprising:
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forming at least a first hole through a superior articular process (SAP) of an inferior vertebra and through an inferior articular process (IAP) of a superior vertebra, across the facet joint; preparing at least one opposing surface of the two processes of the facet joint, within the facet joint, by removing at least one of cartilage and bone from the surface; engaging a first plat against a superior surface of the IAP and a second plate against an inferior surface of the SAP, wherein the plates conform to the surfaces of the processes and have a first hold which aligns with the first hole in the SAP and the IAP; advancing a first tether through the first holes and across the joint; and cinching the first tether; forming at least a second hold through the two processes of the facet joints across the joint wherein second holes in the plates align with the second hole in the processes; advancing a second tether through the second holes and across the joint; and cinching the second tether. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 22, 23)
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24. A method for applying force across a facet joint between two vertebrae, the method comprising:
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forming at least a first hole through a superior articular process (SAP) of an inferior vertebra and through an inferior articular process (IAP) of a superior vertebra, across the facet joint between two processes having opposing surfaces on adjacent vertebrae; preparing at least one of the opposing surfaces of the two processes of the facet joint, within the facet joint, by removing at least one of cartilage and bone from the surface; engaging a first plate against a superior surface of the IAP and a second plate against an inferior surface of the SAP, wherein the plates conform to the surfaces of the processes and have a first hole which aligns with the first hole in the SAP and IAP; advancing a first tether through the first holes and across the joint; and cinching the tether. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification