Linked bilateral spinal facet implants and methods of use

• US 8,579,941 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2007
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gmedelaware 2 LLC (Globus Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chervitz, Alan, Justin, Daniel F., Fallin, T. Wade, Hoy, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARVEY, JULIANNA NANCY
• Application Number:
  US11/734,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20070185492A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,406 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1611- 1716, 623 1711- 1716, 606/247, 606250-253
• US Class Current: 606/247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7049 Connectors, not bearing on the vertebrae, for linking longitudinal elements together A61B17/7055, A61B17/7053, A61B17/7019 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7067 Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8625 Shanks, i.e. parts contacting bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8695 Washers surrounding screw head in plate hole A61B17/8047, between bone plate and bone A61B17/8028
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/8655 with special features for locking in the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30771 applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30125 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30154 square
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30156 triangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30171 rosette- or star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30179 X-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30426 Bayonet coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30448 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30514 using a locking washer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30574 with an integral complete or partial collar or flange
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30576 with extending fixation tabs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 : having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 : with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30616 : Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30663 : multiaxial, e.g. biaxial; multipolar, e.g. bipolar or having an intermediate shell articulating between the ball and the socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3082 : Grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 : with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30934 : Special articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 : elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0021 : square
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0023 : triangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 : Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00131 : Tantalum or Ta-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00203 : containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 : containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00928 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of glass or of glass-containing compounds, e.g. of bioglass

Abstract

Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

left and right articular surfaces shaped to replace left and right natural articular surfaces of a first vertebra;

left and right coupling portions securable to left and right sides, respectively, of the first vertebra to support the left and right articular surfaces;

wherein the left articular surface is positionable relative to the right articular surface at a plurality of displacements along at least two orthogonal axes when the left and right coupling portions are secured to the left and right sides, respectively, of the vertebra;

a crosslink configured to be rigidly secured to the left and right coupling portions, wherein the left and right coupling portions pinch the crosslink therebetween; and

a first locking mechanism actuatable from a posterior approach to secure the crosslink to one of the left and right coupling portions.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a left fixation member implantable in a left pedicle of the first vertebra to secure the left coupling portion proximate the left pedicle; and

a right fixation member implantable in a right pedicle of the first vertebra to secure the right coupling portion proximate the right pedicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the left coupling portion and the left articular surface are both incorporated into a monolithic left prosthesis, wherein the right coupling portion and the right articular surface are both incorporated into a monolithic right prosthesis.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism is configured to secure the crosslink to one of the left and right coupling portions to provide any of a plurality of relative positions of the left and right articular surfaces.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism is configured to secure the crosslink to one of the left and right coupling portions to provide any of a plurality of relative orientations of the left and right articular surfaces.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the crosslink is shaped such that, after securement of the crosslink to the left and right coupling portions, the crosslink does not contact the first vertebra.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second locking mechanism actuatable from a posterior approach to secure the crosslink to the other of the left and right coupling portions.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first polyaxial interface configured to polyaxially adjustably couple the crosslink to one of the left and right coupling portions.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the left and right articular surfaces are shaped to replace inferior left and right natural articular surfaces of the first vertebra.