Inter-cervical facet implant and method for preserving the tissues surrounding the facet joint
AssigneeSt. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc.
InventorsCarl Lauryssen, Charles Winslow, James Zucherman, Steven Mitchell, Scott Yerby, John Flynn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can include an implant for positioning within a cervical facet joint for distracting the cervical spine, thereby increasing the area of the canals and openings through which the spinal cord and nerves must pass, and decreasing pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The implant can be inserted laterally or posteriorly.
Claims20
A facet joint implant that addresses spinal stenosis and other ailments of the spine while maintaining mobility of the facet joint, the implant comprising:
- an artificial facet joint;
- an anchoring plate;
- a connection between the artificial facet joint and the anchoring plate;
- and
- wherein the connection is narrower than the artificial facet joint.
A method for implanting a facet joint implant into a facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:
- accessing a facet joint;
- making an incision in a facet capsule while leaving the remaining tissue of the facet capsule intact;
- and
- inserting an artificial facet joint into the facet joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.