Facet stabilization schemes
OwnerGary Kraus, Jamal Tahainventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods of stabilizing a facet joint, wherein the facet joint comprises an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space that is defined between the opposing faces of the inferior and superior articular facets. These methods of stabilization may be achieved through a variety of applications and devices. In addition, the stabilization may be provided with various degrees of compression sufficient to stabilize the facet joint.
Claims39
A method of stabilizing a facet joint comprising an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space defined between opposing faces of said inferior and superior articular facets, said method comprising:
- decorticating portions of said opposing faces of said inferior and superior articular facets;
- and
- positioning at least one interfacet graft in said interfacet space, such that said interfacet graft is in biological communication with decorticated portions of said opposing faces of said inferior and superior articular facets, wherein said interfacet graft is configured to encourage fusion of said opposing faces of said inferior and superior articular facets.
A method of stabilizing a facet joint comprising an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space defined between opposing faces of said inferior and superior articular facets, said method comprising:
- positioning at least one compressible insert in said interfacet space, such that said compressible insert is placed between said opposing faces of said inferior and superior articular facets, wherein said compressible insert comprises a degree of compressibility sufficient to support said interfacet space during movements of flexion and extension of spine.
A method of stabilizing a facet joint comprising an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space defined between said inferior and superior articular facets, said method comprising:
- providing a fusion cage configured to maintain a substantial degree of structural integrity when subject to flexion and extension in said facet joint;
- and
- inserting said fusion cage into said interfacet space such that said fusion cage engages said inferior articular facet and said superior articular facet.
The method of claim 22, wherein said method further comprises stabilizing said facet joint by coupling with coupling mechanisms said facet joint to another facet joint.
A method of stabilizing a facet joint comprising an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space defined between said inferior and superior articular facets, said method comprising:
- removing corresponding portions of said inferior articular facet and said superior articular facet so as to provide a cage accommodating channel in said inferior articular facet, in said superior articular facet, and across said interfacet space;
- and
- providing a fusion cage configured to maintain a substantial degree of structural integrity when subject to flexion and extension in said facet joint;
- and
- inserting said fusion cage into said channel such that said fusion cage engages said inferior articular facet and said superior articular facet and passes across said interfacet space.
A method of stabilizing a facet joint comprising an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space defined between said inferior and superior articular facets, said method comprising:
- forming cord accommodating notches in cortical portions of said inferior articular facet and superior articular facet;
- and
- wrapping a length of cord about portions of said inferior articular facet and superior articular facet such that said cord runs through said cord accommodating notches and about said facet joint with a degree of compression sufficient to stabilize said facet joint.
A method of stabilizing a facet joint comprising an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space defined between said inferior and superior articular facets, said method comprising:
- removing corresponding portions of said inferior articular facet and said superior articular facet so as to provide a cord accommodating channel in said inferior articular facet, in said superior articular facet, and across said interfacet space;
- threading a length of a primary end of a cord through said channel;
- securing said primary end of said cord to a secondary end of said cord so as to form a loop of said cord around at least a portion of said facet joint, wherein said loop defines a degree of compression sufficient to stabilize said facet joint.
A method of stabilizing a facet joint comprising an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space defined between said inferior and superior articular facets, said method comprising:
- removing corresponding portions of said inferior articular facet and said superior articular facet so as to provide a cord accommodating channel in said inferior articular facet, in said superior articular facet, and across said interfacet space;
- threading a length of a primary end of a cord through said channel;
- and
- binding with at least one fixation device said primary end and a secondary end of said cord to said interior articular facet and said superior articular facet with a degree of compression sufficient to stabilize said facet joint.
A method of stabilizing a facet joint comprising an inferior articular facet of the superior level, a superior articular facet of the inferior level, and an interfacet space defined between opposing faces of said inferior and superior articular facets, said method comprising:
- orienting a bone removal tool along a primary axis in said interfacet space substantially parallel to said opposing faces of said inferior and superior articular facets;
- removing corresponding portions of said inferior articular facet and said superior articular facet by tilting said bone removal tool with respect to said primary axis about a pivot point along said primary axis, wherein said bone removal tool defines an operative removal surface extending at least partially beyond the bounds of said interfacet space to an extent sufficient to provide a hardware accommodating channel through said inferior articular facet, said superior articular facet, or both;
- and
- positioning facet stabilization hardware in said hardware accommodating channel such that one or both ends of said hardware are exposed from cortices of said inferior articular facet and said superior articular facet, wherein said facet stabilization hardware is configured to provide a degree of compression sufficient to stabilize said facet joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.