Implant and method for facet immobilization

• US 9,504,583 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
• Inventors: Blain, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): SUMMITT, LYNNSY M
• Application Number:
  US12/106,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20090264928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,147 Days
• Field of Search: 606246-250
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• 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 2002/2821 Bone stimulation by electromagnetic fields or electric current for enhancing ossification
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30754 Implants for interposition between two natural articular surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30968 Sintering
• 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 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-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 2310/00203 containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00317 : containing silicon nitride
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for immobilizing facet joints of the vertebral column. Embodiments of the invention provide an implant that is inserted in a facet joint from which cartilage has been removed, and which retains the approximate original spacing of the facets in the joint. A retaining arrangement, such as an adhesive, a threaded fastener, or a screw is then used to secure the implant in the joint.

Claims

1. A device for treating spinal disorders by inhibiting movement at a facet joint, the device comprising:

an implant having a first face and a second face, and an aperture extending from the first face to the second face, wherein the implant is dimensioned to fit substantially within a joint capsule of the facet joint and wherein an entire periphery of the implant has a thickness that is greater than a thickness measured from the first face to the second face of a central region of the implant;

a fastener in operation extending through the aperture of the implant and configured to maintain the first face in a fixed position relative to an adjacent articular surface of a first facet, and to maintain the second face in a fixed position relative to an adjacent articular surface of a second facet, the fastener with at least one enlarged structure adapted to abut a non-articular surface of the first or second facet for providing a compressive force between the implant and the facets.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the implant has a thickness that is approximately the same as a normal anatomic spacing between the first and second facets of the facet joint.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a shape of the first face of the implant is configured to conform to the articular surface of the first facet of the facet joint, and the second face of the implant is configured to conform to the articular surface of the second facet of the facet joint.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises at least one of a polymer, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyethylene, a ceramic, zirconia, alumina, silicon nitride, a metal, titanium, a titanium alloy, cobalt chromium, or a stainless steel.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises at least one of an autograft material or an allograft material.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first face and the second face comprises a roughened surface.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first face and the second face comprises a porous surface.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the implant has an average thickness that is between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the implant has an average thickness that is between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the implant has an average lateral dimension that is between about 5 mm and about 25 mm.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the implant has an average lateral dimension that is between about 10 mm and about 20 mm.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be bonded to the articular surfaces of the first and second facets using at least one of an adhesive or a sealant.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded retainer.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the enlarged structure is a threaded nut.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises at least one of a bolt or a screw.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a bone screw.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the enlarged structure is a flange.

18. The device of claim 1, further comprising a nut coupled to a portion of the fastener opposite the enlarged structure, wherein the nut can move along the fastener to abut a non-articular surface of the first or second facet to provide the compressive force between the implant and the facets.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the first face and the second face of the implant are concave.

20. A device for treating spinal disorders by inhibiting movement at a facet joint, the device comprising:

an implant having a first face and a second face, and an aperture extending from the first face to the second face, wherein the implant is dimensioned to fit substantially within a joint capsule of the facet joint;

a fastener in operation extending through the aperture of the implant and configured to maintain the first face in a fixed position relative to an adjacent articular surface of a first facet, and to maintain the second face in a fixed position relative to an adjacent articular surface of a second facet, the fastener with at least one enlarged structure adapted to abut a non-articular surface of the first or second facet for providing a compressive force between the implant and the facets, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded retainer that is curved along a primary axis thereof.