Facet Joint Replacement
AssigneeFacet Solutions, Inc.
InventorsE. Marlowe Goble, T. Wade Fallin, Robert 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.
Claims25
A system for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet of a first vertebra, the system comprising:
- a first prosthesis comprising:
- a fixation member implantable in a pedicle of the first vertebra;
- a strut comprising a first end formed unitarily with the fixation member, and a second end extending from the first end along a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fixation member;
- and
- a first articular surface on the second end, wherein the first articular surface is shaped to replace a natural articular surface of the first vertebra;
- wherein the strut is shaped to avoid encircling a spinous process of the first vertebra.
A system for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet of a first vertebra, the system comprising:
- a first prosthesis comprising:
- a fixation member implantable in a pedicle of the first vertebra;
- a strut comprising a first end formed unitarily with the fixation member, and a second end extending from the first end along a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fixation member;
- and
- a first articular surface on the second end, wherein the first articular surface is shaped to replace a natural articular surface of the first vertebra;
- wherein the first articular surface is positioned on the strut independently of any other articular surface.
A method for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet of a first vertebra, the system comprising:
- implanting a fixation member of a first prosthesis in a pedicle of the first vertebra, the first prosthesis further comprising a strut comprising a first end formed unitarily with the fixation member, and a second end extending from the first end along a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fixation member, and a first articular surface on the second end;
- and
- positioning the first articular surface to replace a natural articular surface of the first vertebra;
- wherein the strut is shaped to avoid encircling a spinous process of the first vertebra.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.