Inter-cervical facet implant with multiple direction articulation joint and method for implanting
First Claim
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1. A facet joint implant that addresses spinal stenosis and other ailments of a spine while maintaining mobility of a facet joint, the implant comprising:
- an anchoring plate configured to anchor to a vertebra;
a facet joint spacer sized and shaped to fit between a superior facet and an inferior facet forming the facet joint; and
a multiple direction articulation joint connecting the anchoring plate to the facet joint spacer and located so that when the facet joint spacer is positioned between the superior facet and the inferior facet a portion of the multiple direction articulation joint is outside of the facet joint,wherein the multiple direction articulation joint includes a cavity and a notch associated with one of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer and a ball-shaped end associated with the other of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer, wherein the ball-shaped end is positionable within the cavity via the notch formed in the one of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer having the cavity.
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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.
186 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A facet joint implant that addresses spinal stenosis and other ailments of a spine while maintaining mobility of a facet joint, the implant comprising:
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an anchoring plate configured to anchor to a vertebra; a facet joint spacer sized and shaped to fit between a superior facet and an inferior facet forming the facet joint; and a multiple direction articulation joint connecting the anchoring plate to the facet joint spacer and located so that when the facet joint spacer is positioned between the superior facet and the inferior facet a portion of the multiple direction articulation joint is outside of the facet joint, wherein the multiple direction articulation joint includes a cavity and a notch associated with one of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer and a ball-shaped end associated with the other of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer, wherein the ball-shaped end is positionable within the cavity via the notch formed in the one of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer having the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A facet joint implant that addresses spinal stenosis and other ailments of a spine while maintaining mobility of a facet joint, the implant comprising:
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an anchoring plate having a cavity and a first notch; a facet joint spacer having a pivoting end positionable within the cavity through the first notch to form an articulation joint such that the facet joint spacer is pivotably connected with the anchoring plate, the facet joint spacer sized and shaped to fit between a superior facet and an inferior facet forming the facet joint; said anchoring plate having a bore; a bone screw insertable through said bore; and said first bore receives and guides the bone screw into a vertebra to anchor said anchoring plate, wherein when the facet joint spacer is positioned between the superior facet and the inferior facet a portion of the articulation joint is outside of the facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A facet joint implant that addresses spinal stenosis and other ailments of a spine while maintaining mobility of a facet joint, the implant comprising:
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an anchoring plate; a facet joint spacer sized and shaped to fit between a superior facet and an inferior facet forming the facet joint; wherein one of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer includes a socket, and the other of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer includes an end having a ball receivable within the socket to form a multiple direction articulation joint, wherein the end having the ball is positionable within the socket via a notch formed in the one of the anchoring plate and the facet joint spacer having the socket; said anchoring plate having a bore; a bone screw insertable through said bore; and said first bore receives and guides the bone screw into a vertebra to anchor said anchoring plate, wherein when the facet joint spacer is positioned between the superior facet and the inferior facet a portion of the articulation joint is outside of the facet joint. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification