Artificial facet joint
First Claim
1. A prosthetic device for implantation over a painful or otherwise damaged inferior articular process or .[.a.]. .Iadd.an adjacent .Iaddend.superior articular process, or both, .[.of.]. .Iadd.at the point where such processes interact within .Iaddend.a human spinal facet joint, .Iadd.the device .Iaddend.comprising,a .[.superior.]. component .[.roughly in the form of a hollow cone or pyramid with a rounded apex.]. .Iadd.having an outer surface adapted to .Iaddend.substantially .[.conforming.]. .Iadd.conform .Iaddend.to the size and shape of the .[.distal tip of the inferior.]. .Iadd.outer surface of said painful or otherwise damaged .Iaddend.articular process .[.so as to be a substantially matching fit over it;
- .]..Iadd., at least at the point where said painful or otherwise damaged articular process interacts with said adjacent articular process; and
.Iaddend..[.an inferior component roughly in the form of a hollow cone or pyramid substantially conforming to the size and shape of the distal tip of the inferior articular process so as to be a substantially matching fit over it;
means for affixing said superior component to said distal tip of the inferior articular process;
.].means for affixing said .[.inferior.]. component to said .[.distal tip of the superior.]. .Iadd.painful or otherwise damaged .Iaddend.articular process.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal facet prosthesis for a diseased or painful facet joint comprises a superior component and an inferior component. The superior component is roughly conical or pyramidal in form and is fastened to and over the distal tip of the inferior articular process of the diseased or painful facet joint. The inferior component is also roughly conical or pyramidal in form with one side elongated postero-medially and distally. The outer surface of the elongated side of the inferior component is of low friction, such as polished chromium coating or medical grade high-density polyethylene. The inferior component is fastened to and over the superior articular process of the diseased or painful facet joint. Each component is made of a biocompatible material. The inner surface of each component which is in contact with its respective articular process is coated with a porous coating to enhance the adhesion of each component to its respective articular process.
489 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A prosthetic device for implantation over a painful or otherwise damaged inferior articular process or .[.a.]. .Iadd.an adjacent .Iaddend.superior articular process, or both, .[.of.]. .Iadd.at the point where such processes interact within .Iaddend.a human spinal facet joint, .Iadd.the device .Iaddend.comprising,
a .[.superior.]. component .[.roughly in the form of a hollow cone or pyramid with a rounded apex.]. .Iadd.having an outer surface adapted to .Iaddend.substantially .[.conforming.]. .Iadd.conform .Iaddend.to the size and shape of the .[.distal tip of the inferior.]. .Iadd.outer surface of said painful or otherwise damaged .Iaddend.articular process .[.so as to be a substantially matching fit over it; - .]..Iadd., at least at the point where said painful or otherwise damaged articular process interacts with said adjacent articular process; and
.Iaddend..[.an inferior component roughly in the form of a hollow cone or pyramid substantially conforming to the size and shape of the distal tip of the inferior articular process so as to be a substantially matching fit over it; means for affixing said superior component to said distal tip of the inferior articular process;
.].means for affixing said .[.inferior.]. component to said .[.distal tip of the superior.]. .Iadd.painful or otherwise damaged .Iaddend.articular process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
- .]..Iadd., at least at the point where said painful or otherwise damaged articular process interacts with said adjacent articular process; and
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16. A prosthetic device for implantation over a painful or otherwise damaged inferior articular process .[.or a superior articular process, or both.]., of a human spinal facet joint, comprising,
a superior component roughly in the form of a .[.hollow.]. cone or pyramid with a rounded apex .[.with a hole at the apex.]. .Iadd.adapted to .Iaddend.substantially .[.conforming.]. .Iadd.conform .Iaddend.to the size and shape of the distal tip of the inferior articular process .[.so as to be a substantially matching fit over it.]. .Iadd.to be repaired with said component.Iaddend..[.; - .].
.[.an inferior component roughly in the form of an incomplete hollow cone or pyramid substantially conforming to the size and shape of the distal tip of the inferior articular process so as to be a substantially matching fit over it with one side having a smooth concave and elongated surface positioned in matching opposition to the distal tip of the inferior articular process and to provide a bearing surface to said distal tip along its path as it moves medially and inferiorly over said elongated surface with at least two holes in the distal portion of said elongated surface and with an open area adjacent to said elongated surface formed by an incomplete side in the shape of a pedicle.]..
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18. inferior component..Iaddend..Iadd.21. The device of claim 20, wherein said inferior component roughly in the form of a hollow cone or pyramid adapted to substantially conform to the size and shape of the distal tip of the superior articular process so as to be a substantially matching fit over it..Iaddend..Iadd.22. A prosthetic device for implantation over a painful or otherwise damaged inferior articular process of a human spinal facet joint, comprising:
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a superior component roughly in the form of a cone or pyramid with a rounded apex adapted to substantially conform to the size and shape of the distal tip of an inferior articular process to be repaired with said component..Iaddend..Iadd.23. In a human spinal facet joint wherein a portion of the outer surface of a superior articular process interacts with a portion of the outer surface of an inferior articular process, a method of relieving discomfort comprising the steps of; installing a prosthetic device having an outer surface which replaces the outer surface of one or both of the superior and inferior articular processes, at least in the vicinity where said processes interact..Iaddend.
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Specification