System and method for facet joint replacement with detachable coupler
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- positioning an assembly proximate a natural facet joint of a spine, the assembly comprising a superior facet joint implant comprising a superior articular surface shaped to replace a natural superior articular surface of a first vertebra of the spine, an inferior facet joint implant comprising an inferior articular surface shaped to replace a natural inferior articular surface of a second vertebra of the spine, and a deformable coupler coupled to the superior and inferior facet joint implants;
securing the superior facet joint implant to the first vertebra of the spine;
securing an inferior fixation portion of the inferior facet joint implant to a pedicle of the second vertebra of the spine; and
detaching the coupler from the superior and inferior facet joint implants,wherein the deformable coupler comprises a clip having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being linked by a connecting portion that is deformable,wherein when the connecting portion is flexed, the first end rotates about a first axis and the second end rotates about a second axis.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, and a superior implant with a superior articular surface. The implants may be coupled together by a detachable coupler which can align and rigidly hold the inferior and superior articular surfaces in a preferred alignment relative to one another. A portion of the coupler may be deformable to allow detachment of the coupler from at least one of the implants. In one method of implantation, the superior and inferior implants may be aligned and coupled together with the coupler, and then secured to fixation members anchored in adjacent vertebrae. Alternatively, a first implant may be secured to a fixation member anchored in a first vertebra, and a second implant coupled to the coupler, aligned with the first implant and then secured to a fixation member anchored in a second vertebra. A tool may grip, position and/or deliver the coupler and the implants.
829 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
- positioning an assembly proximate a natural facet joint of a spine, the assembly comprising a superior facet joint implant comprising a superior articular surface shaped to replace a natural superior articular surface of a first vertebra of the spine, an inferior facet joint implant comprising an inferior articular surface shaped to replace a natural inferior articular surface of a second vertebra of the spine, and a deformable coupler coupled to the superior and inferior facet joint implants;
securing the superior facet joint implant to the first vertebra of the spine;
securing an inferior fixation portion of the inferior facet joint implant to a pedicle of the second vertebra of the spine; and
detaching the coupler from the superior and inferior facet joint implants,wherein the deformable coupler comprises a clip having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being linked by a connecting portion that is deformable, wherein when the connecting portion is flexed, the first end rotates about a first axis and the second end rotates about a second axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- positioning an assembly proximate a natural facet joint of a spine, the assembly comprising a superior facet joint implant comprising a superior articular surface shaped to replace a natural superior articular surface of a first vertebra of the spine, an inferior facet joint implant comprising an inferior articular surface shaped to replace a natural inferior articular surface of a second vertebra of the spine, and a deformable coupler coupled to the superior and inferior facet joint implants;
-
9. A method comprising:
- securing a superior facet joint implant to a first vertebra of a spine, the superior facet joint implant comprising a superior articulation portion;
positioning an assembly proximate the first vertebra and a second vertebra of the spine, the assembly comprising an inferior articulation portion coupled to an inferior fixation portion of an inferior facet joint implant, and a coupler coupled to the inferior articulation portion; and
coupling the coupler to the superior facet joint implant after securement of the superior facet joint implant to the first vertebra such that the inferior facet joint implant is aligned with the superior facet joint implant in a desired relative position,wherein the coupler comprises a clip having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being linked by a connecting portion that is deformable, wherein when the connecting portion is flexed, the first end rotates about a first axis and the second end rotates about a second axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- securing a superior facet joint implant to a first vertebra of a spine, the superior facet joint implant comprising a superior articulation portion;
-
16. A method comprising:
- securing a first fixation assembly to a first vertebra of a spine;
positioning an assembly proximate the first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spine, the assembly comprising;
a superior articulation portion of a superior facet joint implant;
an inferior articulation portion of an inferior facet joint implant; and
a deformable coupler coupled to the superior and inferior articulation portions to keep the superior and inferior articulation portions in a desired relative position; and
coupling a superior fixation portion of the superior facet joint implant to the first fixation assembly after securement of the first fixation assembly to the first vertebra,wherein the coupler comprises a clip having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being linked by a connecting portion that is deformable, wherein when the connecting portion is flexed, the first end rotates about a first axis and the second end rotates about a second axis. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- securing a first fixation assembly to a first vertebra of a spine;
Specification