Facet joint replacement
First Claim
1. A method for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet of a first vertebra, the method comprising:
- positioning a superior articular surface to articulate with an adjacent inferior articular surface on an adjacent upper vertebra;
positioning an inferior articular surface at any of a plurality of orientations with respect to the superior articular surface to enable the inferior articular surface to articulate with an adjacent superior articular surface on an adjacent lower vertebra; and
implanting a fixation member in the first vertebra to secure the positioned superior and inferior articular surfaces to the first vertebra,wherein the superior articular surface is incorporated into a superior prosthesis and the inferior articular surface is incorporated into an inferior prosthesis, wherein positioning the superior articular surface comprises positioning the superior prosthesis, wherein positioning the inferior articular surface comprises positioning the inferior prosthesis,wherein at least one of positioning the superior prosthesis and positioning the inferior prosthesis is carried out such that after the corresponding prosthesis has been positioned, no portion of the corresponding prosthesis encircles a spinous process of the first vertebra.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bone of a facet located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising: an articulating surface that articulates with another facet; a bone contacting surface that contacts a surface of the vertebra, the articulating surface being connected to the bone contacting surface; and a fixation element that attaches the bone contacting surface to the vertebra, the fixation element being adapted for implantation into an interior bone space of a pedicle of the vertebra; wherein the prosthesis is configured so that no portion of the prosthesis contacts the posterior arch of the vertebra.
236 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet of a first vertebra, the method comprising:
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positioning a superior articular surface to articulate with an adjacent inferior articular surface on an adjacent upper vertebra; positioning an inferior articular surface at any of a plurality of orientations with respect to the superior articular surface to enable the inferior articular surface to articulate with an adjacent superior articular surface on an adjacent lower vertebra; and implanting a fixation member in the first vertebra to secure the positioned superior and inferior articular surfaces to the first vertebra, wherein the superior articular surface is incorporated into a superior prosthesis and the inferior articular surface is incorporated into an inferior prosthesis, wherein positioning the superior articular surface comprises positioning the superior prosthesis, wherein positioning the inferior articular surface comprises positioning the inferior prosthesis, wherein at least one of positioning the superior prosthesis and positioning the inferior prosthesis is carried out such that after the corresponding prosthesis has been positioned, no portion of the corresponding prosthesis encircles a spinous process of the first vertebra. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet of a first vertebra, the method comprising:
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positioning a superior articular surface to articulate with an adjacent inferior articular surface on an adjacent upper vertebra; positioning an inferior articular surface at any of a plurality of orientations with respect to the superior articular surface to enable the inferior articular surface to articulate with an adjacent superior articular surface on an adjacent lower vertebra; and implanting a fixation member in the first vertebra to secure the positioned superior and inferior articular surfaces to the first vertebra wherein the superior articular surface is incorporated into a superior prosthesis and the inferior articular surface is incorporated into an inferior prosthesis, wherein positioning the superior articular surface comprises positioning the superior prosthesis, wherein positioning the inferior articular surface comprises positioning the inferior prosthesis, wherein each of the superior and inferior prostheses comprises an opening;
the method further comprising passing a portion of the fixation member through the openings prior to implantation of the fixation member in the first vertebra.- View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet of a first vertebra, the method comprising:
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positioning a superior articular surface to articulate with an adjacent inferior articular surface on an adjacent upper vertebra; positioning an inferior articular surface at any of a plurality of orientations with respect to the superior articular surface to enable the inferior articular surface to articulate with an adjacent superior articular surface on an adjacent lower vertebra; and implanting a fixation member in the first vertebra to secure the positioned superior and inferior articular surfaces to the first vertebra, wherein the superior articular surface is incorporated into a superior prosthesis and the inferior articular surface is incorporated into an inferior prosthesis, wherein positioning the superior articular surface comprises positioning the superior prosthesis, wherein positioning the inferior articular surface comprises positioning the inferior prosthesis, further comprising securing an enlarged head to the fixation member to press portions of the superior and inferior prostheses against the first vertebra.
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9. A method for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet of a first vertebra, the method comprising:
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positioning a superior prosthesis having an opening such that a superior articular surface of the superior prosthesis is positioned to articulate with an adjacent inferior articular surface on an adjacent vertebra; positioning an inferior prosthesis having an opening such that an inferior articular surface of the inferior prosthesis is positioned to articulate with an adjacent superior articular surface on an adjacent vertebra; and implanting a fixation member in the first vertebra to secure the positioned inferior and superior articular surfaces to the first vertebra by passing a portion of the fixation member through the openings, wherein the superior prosthesis, the inferior prosthesis, and the fixation member are separate pieces from each other. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification