System and method for multiple level facet joint arthroplasty and fusion
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a superior articular surface attachable to a first vertebra to articulate with an adjacent inferior articular surface; and
an inferior articular surface attachable to the first vertebra, independently of attachment of the superior articular surface to the first vertebra, to articulate with an adjacent superior articular surface;
wherein at least one of the superior and inferior articular surfaces is polyaxially adjustably attachable to the first vertebra via a fixing element;
wherein at least one of the superior articular surface and the inferior articular surface is attachable to the first vertebra via a locking assembly having a rotational locking member and a translational locking member; and
wherein the locking assembly having the rotational locking member and translational locking member is slidable relative to the fixing element.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Facet joint replacement implants may be designed for use on multiple adjacent vertebral levels. Each superior implant may have a substantially semispherical concave surface, and each inferior implant may have a cooperating semispherical convex surface that is deformable to enable it to be pressed into the superior implant concave surface to fix the relative orientations of the superior and inferior implants. Thus, the inferior implant may be attached to the same pedicle as the superior implant, but may also be oriented independently of the superior implant and then fixed in position. Similar mounting structures may be used to attach one or more fusion implants to a level adjacent to that of a facet joint replacement implant.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a superior articular surface attachable to a first vertebra to articulate with an adjacent inferior articular surface; and an inferior articular surface attachable to the first vertebra, independently of attachment of the superior articular surface to the first vertebra, to articulate with an adjacent superior articular surface; wherein at least one of the superior and inferior articular surfaces is polyaxially adjustably attachable to the first vertebra via a fixing element; wherein at least one of the superior articular surface and the inferior articular surface is attachable to the first vertebra via a locking assembly having a rotational locking member and a translational locking member; and wherein the locking assembly having the rotational locking member and translational locking member is slidable relative to the fixing element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification