INTRA-FACET FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20080234758A1
• Filed: 08/22/2007
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Spine Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Spine Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Serhan, Hassan A., O'Neil, Michael J., Fisher, Michael Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,133,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• 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 2002/30622 Implant for fusing a joint or bone material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30754 Implants for interposition between two natural articular surfaces

Abstract

A implantable interference device configured for intra-facet placement within a facet joint is provided. The device includes a shank capable of engaging opposing faces of the facet joint. The shank can further include a head extending from a proximal end of the shank wherein the head is configured to engage and/or buttress opposing faces of the joint, and also configured for preventing over-insertion of the device. Optionally, at least a portion of the shank can include or be formed of a fusion-promoting bioactive material. Further, a method for providing fixation of a facet joint by intra-facet placement of an interference device within the facet joint is provided.

Claims

1. An implantable interference device, comprising:

a conical distal tip;

a shank extending from the distal tip; and

a head extending from a proximal end of the shank, the head having a diameter greater than a diameter of the shank,

wherein the implantable interference device is configured for intra-facet placement within a facet joint.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the shank includes a fusion-promoting bioactive material formed thereon.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the device is formed of a fusion-promoting bioactive material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a thread runs along at least a portion of the shank in one of a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the head includes at least one protrusion adapted to contact a face of the facet joint.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is cannulated, having an inner lumen extending through the device, along a longitudinal axis thereof, from the distal tip to the head.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the shank is substantially constant along a length of the shank.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the shank undulates along a length of the shank.

9. An implantable interference device, comprising:

a conical distal tip; and

a shank extending from the distal tip such that a diameter of the shank undulates in a direction from the conical distal tip to a proximal end of the shank,

wherein the implantable interference device is configured for intra-facet placement within a facet joint.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the shank includes a fusion-promoting bioactive material formed thereon.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the shank includes a thread configured such that a major diameter of the shank undulates from the conical distal tip to the proximal end of the shank.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein a minor diameter of the shank undulates in the direction from the conical distal tip to the proximal end of the shank.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein a minor diameter of the shank remains substantially constant from the conical distal tip to the proximal end of the shank.

14. The device of claim 9, further comprising a head extending from the proximal end of the shank, the head having a diameter greater than the diameter of the shank.

15. A method for facet joint fixation, comprising:

surgically delivering at least one implantable interference device to a facet joint in an intra-facet orientation, the device having a shank which includes a head formed at a proximal end of the shank, the head having a diameter larger than a diameter of the shank; and

engaging portions of the shank to opposing faces of the facet joint.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising delivering a first interference device to a first facet joint and a second interference device to a second, corresponding facet joint at the same level of a spine.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a diameter of the first interference device is different than the diameter of the second, corresponding interference device, the difference in diameter allowing for a desired distraction of the first and second facet joints.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the surgically delivering step is conducted in a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein a portion of the interference device includes a fusion-promoting bioactive material.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein placement of the interference device distracts the opposing faces of the facet joint to relieve stenosis.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

buttressing opposing faces of the facet joint with the head of the interference device so as to prevent motion of the opposing faces relative to one another.