# US 12,004,781 B2 · Lateral mass fixation implant

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- Number: US 12,004,781 B2
- Document ID: US12004781B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/997,971
- Filed: 2020-08-20
- Published: 2020-12-03
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-27
- Assignees: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
- Applicants: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
- Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack; Edward Liou; Shigeru Tanaka; Christopher U. Phan; Jeffrey D. Smith; Todd Sheppard Saunders; Krzysztof Siemionow
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004781B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor}
- A61B 17/7002: {Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods}
- A61B 17/7035: {Screws or hooks, wherein a rod-clamping part and a bone-anchoring part can pivot relative to each other}
- A61B 17/8085: {with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips (A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/809: {with bone-penetrating elements, e.g. blades or prongs (bone staples A61B17/0642; intramedullary nails with a plate at an end A61B17/7233)}
- A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

The various embodiments described herein provide lateral mass and facet fixation implants, which may be inserted and applied via a posterior approach, using minimally invasive or less invasive techniques. The embodiments described below generally include an intrafacet implant (or “facet implant”) and a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant. The lateral mass fixation member can include one or more tabs extending from a middle portion and configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae. The tabs may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, and may be collapsible to facilitate insertion of the device. Methods for delivering the lateral mass and facet fixation implants are also described.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A spinal implant system, comprising:
a facet implant member for positioning in a facet joint, the implant having a proximal end
and distal end; and
a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant member at
the proximal end, wherein the lateral mass fixation member comprises:
an anchor comprising:
a rod receiving member, and
at least one attachment device for attaching the rod receiving member to
the facet implant member; and
a rod received in the anchor to bridge a lateral mass of adjacent vertebrae,
wherein the facet implant member has a longitudinal axis, the facet joint has a longitudinal axis, and, in use, the longitudinal axis of the implant and the longitudinal axis of the facet joint are generally parallel or coaxial,
wherein the at least one attachment device is received by the facet implant member along the longitudinal axis of the implant, and at least a portion of both the rod receiving member and the attachment device extend from the proximal end of the implant and are configured to extend outside of the facet joint.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A system as in claim 1, wherein the facet implant member and the lateral mass fixation member are two separate devices that are attachable in situ.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A system as in claim 1, wherein the facet implant member and the lateral mass member comprise one, attached device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A system as in claim 1, further comprising a guide member for guiding at least one of the facet implant member or the lateral mass fixation member to a spine for attachment thereto.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant system of claim 1, wherein the facet implant member is an intrafacet implant member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant system of claim 1, wherein the facet joint is a cervical facet joint.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant system of claim 1, wherein the facet implant member includes one or more teeth for securing the facet implant member in the facet joint.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment device is a screw.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein:
the facet joint is defined by two adjacent cervical vertebrae,
the implant member comprising:
a first surface having one or more teeth extending outwardly therefrom and is configured to engage a superior articulating surface of one of the two adjacent vertebrae, and
a second surface having one or more teeth extending outwardly therefrom and configured to engage an inferior articulating surface of the other of the two adjacent vertebrae.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the rod receiving member further comprises a slot configured to receive the rod.