Inter-cervical facet implant and method
AssigneeSt. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc.
InventorsCharles Winslow, James Zucherman, Ken Hsu, Steven Mitchell, Scott Yerby, John Flynn
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims25
A method for implanting a cervical facet implant in a cervical facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:
- accessing a first cervical facet joint;
- urging an artificial facet joint of the implant into the first cervical facet joint, positioning a plate, flexibly attached to the artificial facet joint, relative to the artificial facet joint and against a vertebra;
- anchoring the plate to the vertebra.
A method for implanting an artificial cervical facet implant in a cervical facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:
- accessing a first cervical facet joint;
- urging an artificial facet joint of the implant into the first cervical facet joint, so that the artificial facet joint positioned in the first cervical facet joint distracts the first cervical facet joint;
- positioning a plate flexibly connected to the artificial facet joint relative to the artificial facet joint and to the vertebra;
- and
- anchoring the plate of the implant to the vertetebra, wherein application of said method increases the foraminal dimension and allows mobility of the implanted first cervical facet joint.
A method for increasing a foraminal dimension in a spine include the steps of:
- accessing a first cervical facet joint;
- implanting a first artificial facet joint in the first cervical facet joint in order to distract the first cervical facet joint;
- accessing a second cervical facet joint on the same level as the first cervical facet joint;
- implanting a second artificial facet joint in the second cervical facet joint in order to distract the second cervical facet joint and, in association with the first artificial facet joint implanted in the first facet joint, to increase the foraminal dimension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.