Inter-cervical facet implant with implantation tool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A facet joint implant adapted to be inserted in a facet joint, the implant comprising:
- a. a facet joint spacer; and
b. an anchoring plate flexibly coupled to the facet joint spacer, the anchoring plate having a superior surface, an inferior surface opposite the superior surface, and opposing side surfaces extending between the superior surface and the inferior surface, and wherein a central longitudinal axis extends through the facet joint spacer and the anchoring plate,wherein the anchoring plate includes an aperture through the superior surface adapted to receive a retractable engaging member of an implanting tool, the anchoring plate including a protrusion projecting in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis from each side surface, each protrusion being disposed on the side surface at an elevation different than that of the superior surface of the anchoring plate so as to form a step from the superior surface, the protrusion being shaped to have a longitudinal length along the side surface greater than a height of the side surface, and being adapted to correspondingly register with a receiving slot of the implanting tool.
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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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A facet joint implant adapted to be inserted in a facet joint, the implant comprising:
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a. a facet joint spacer; and b. an anchoring plate flexibly coupled to the facet joint spacer, the anchoring plate having a superior surface, an inferior surface opposite the superior surface, and opposing side surfaces extending between the superior surface and the inferior surface, and wherein a central longitudinal axis extends through the facet joint spacer and the anchoring plate, wherein the anchoring plate includes an aperture through the superior surface adapted to receive a retractable engaging member of an implanting tool, the anchoring plate including a protrusion projecting in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis from each side surface, each protrusion being disposed on the side surface at an elevation different than that of the superior surface of the anchoring plate so as to form a step from the superior surface, the protrusion being shaped to have a longitudinal length along the side surface greater than a height of the side surface, and being adapted to correspondingly register with a receiving slot of the implanting tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A facet joint implant adapted to be inserted in a facet joint, the implant comprising:
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a. a facet joint spacer shaped to fit within a facet joint, the facet joint spacer having a superior surface configured to interface with a superior portion of the facet joint and having an inferior surface configured to interface with an inferior portion of the facet joint; and b. an anchoring plate flexibly coupled to the facet joint spacer, the anchoring plate having a superior surface, an inferior surface opposite the superior surface, and opposing side surfaces extending between the superior surface and the inferior surface, and wherein a central longitudinal axis extends through the facet joint spacer and the anchoring plate, wherein the anchoring plate includes a protrusion projecting in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis from each side surface, each protrusion being disposed on the side surface at an elevation different than that of the superior surface of the anchoring plate so as to form a step from the superior surface, the protrusion being shaped to have a longitudinal length along the side surface greater than a height of the side surface, and being adapted to correspondingly register with a receiving slot of the implanting tool. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A facet joint implant adapted to be inserted into a facet joint, the implant comprising:
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a. a facet joint spacer shaped to fit within a facet joint, the facet joint spacer having a superior surface configured to interface with a superior portion of the facet joint and having an inferior surface configured to interface with an inferior portion of the facet joint; and b. an anchoring plate moveably associated with the facet joint spacer, the anchoring plate being sized and shaped to be disposed outside the facet joint when the facet joint spacer is within the facet joint, the anchoring plate being configured to be secured to a vertebral lateral mass, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends through the facet joint spacer and the anchoring plate, and wherein the anchoring plate includes an engagement aperture adapted to receive a retractable engaging member of an implanting tool, the engagement aperture intersecting the longitudinal axis; a bone screw aperture adapted to receive a bone screw, the bone screw aperture intersecting the longitudinal axis and being disposed between the facet joint spacer and the engagement aperture, the bone screw aperture having a relatively larger diameter; and a locking screw aperture adapted to receive a locking screw, the locking screw aperture being displaced from the longitudinal axis and having a relatively smaller diameter, the bone screw and locking screw adapted to anchor the anchoring plate into a vertebral body. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification