Orthopedic fixation mechanism
AssigneeHorace Winston Hale
InventorHorace Winston Hale
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fixation mechanism and method of fixation, such as the fixation of a facet resurfacing implant to an articular facet of a spinal vertebra. The fixation mechanism includes a securing mechanism having a socket configured to receive a knob of a biologic implant. The fixation mechanism further includes a locking mechanism for limiting expansion of the socket following engagement with the knob of the implant.
Claims25
A fixation mechanism for fixing an orthopedic implant comprising:
- a securing mechanism having a shaft and a socket, the socket being configured to engage a knob of the orthopedic implant;
- a sleeve at least partially surrounding the shaft, wherein the sleeve is configured to be positioned over at least a portion of the socket such that lateral expansion of the socket is limited by the sleeve;
- a locking element configured to engage the side of the securing mechanism opposite the socket to limit movement of the fixation mechanism with respect to a bone.
A facet implant comprising:
- an inferior implant configured for placement on an inferior articular facet of a vertebra, the inferior implant having a knob;
- and
- a fixation mechanism for securing the inferior implant to the inferior articular facet, the fixation mechanism comprising:
- a shaft,
- a socket configured to receive the knob of the inferior implant, and
- a locking mechanism for limiting expansion of the socket following receipt of the knob of the inferior implant.
A facet implant comprising:
- a superior implant configured for placement on a superior articular facet, the superior implant having an articulating surface and a fixation surface;
- an inferior implant configured for placement on an inferior articulating facet, the inferior implant having an articulating surface, a fixation surface, and a knob extending from the fixation surface;
- and
- a fixation mechanism for securing the inferior implant to the inferior articular facet, the fixation mechanism comprising a socket configured to receive the knob of the inferior implant.
A method for securing an implant having a knob to an inferior articular facet of a vertebra comprising:
- creating a hole through the inferior articular facet;
- placing through the hole a fixation mechanism having a socket for receiving the knob of the implant;
- and
- engaging the implant and the fixation mechanism such that the knob of the implant is received by the socket.
A method for providing articulating surfaces for facet joint articular facets comprising:
- placing an inferior implant having a knob on an articulating surface of an inferior articular facet;
- engaging the knob of the inferior implant with a socket of a fixation mechanism;
- and
- placing a superior implant on an articulating surface of a superior articular facet such that an articulating surface of the superior implant is capable of articulating with an articulating surface of the inferior implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.