Facet joint replacement
AssigneeFacet Solutions, Inc.
InventorsE. Marlowe Goble, T. Wade Fallin, Robert W. Hoy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A prosthesis for the replacement of a diseased or traumatized facet of a mammalian vertebra includes a surface that articulates with another prosthetic facet or a natural facet, a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the diseased or traumatized spine facet which is to be replaced, and an element to attach the prosthesis to the vertebra in a manner that does not require attachment to or abutment against the posterior arch. A method of installing the prosthesis includes the steps of resecting at least a portion of a facet and attaching the prosthesis in a manner that does not require attachment or abutment against the posterior arch.
Claims16
A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bone of a facet located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising:
- a surface that articulates with another facet surface;
- a fixation portion that is implanted into an interior bone space of said vertebra,
- said surface being connected to said fixation portion.
A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bone of a facet located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising:
- a surface that articulates with another facet;
- a bone contacting surface that contacts one of an exterior surface or a resected surface of said vertebra, said surface that articulates being connected to said bone contacting surface;
- a fixation element that attaches said bone contacting surface to said vertebra;
- and wherein said prosthesis is configured so that no portion of said prosthesis contacts the posterior arch of said vertebra.
A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bones of opposed and articulating facets located on a mammalian vertebra, where said facets are diseased or traumatized, comprising:
- an inferior component adapted to be attached to a first vertebra and having a first fixation portion adapted to be implanted into a first interior bone space and a first articulation portion connected to said first fixation portion;
- a superior component adapted to be attached to a second vertebra and having a second fixation portion adapted to be implanted into a second interior bone space and second articulation portion connected to said second fixation portion;
- where the first vertebra is adjacent and superior to the second vertebra.
A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bones of opposed and articulating facets located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising:
- an inferior component adapted to be attached to a first vertebra;
- and
- a superior component adapted to be attached to a second vertebra;
- where the first vertebra is adjacent and superior to the second vertebra;
- and
- where one of said inferior and superior components includes:
- a flange that connects to one of an exterior surface or a resected surface of said vertebra;
- and
- a fixation element that attaches said flange to said vertebra;
- and further wherein of said prosthesis is configured so that no portion of said prosthesis contacts the posterior arch of said vertebra.
A method for replacing a facet of a mammalian vertebra, comprising the steps of:
- resecting at least a portion of the bone of said facet;
- attaching a prosthetic facet to the remaining bone of said vertebra such that no portion of the prosthetic facet contacts the posterior arch of said vertebra;
- where said prosthetic facet is adapted to articulate with another facet.
A method for replacing a facet joint of a mammalian spine, comprising the steps of:
- resecting at least a portion of the bone of a first facet on a first vertebra;
- attaching a first prosthetic facet to the remaining bone of said first vertebra such that no portion of said prosthetic facet contacts the posterior arch of said vertebra;
- resecting at least a portion of the bone of a second facet on a second vertebra;
- and
- attaching a second prosthetic facet to the remaining bone of said second vertebra such that no portion of said prosthetic facet contacts the posterior arch of said vertebra;
- where said first prosthetic facet is adapted to articulate with said second prosthetic facet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.