Multi-joint implant
AssigneeDePuy Spine, Inc.
InventorNiall Casey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for repairing or replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column. In one exemplary embodiment, an implant is provided having an anterior portion that is adapted to be positioned between adjacent vertebrae and a posterior portion that is adapted to be positioned around a spinal cord and to couple to a posterior surface of at least one adjacent vertebra. In use, the implant can allow the adjacent vertebrae to move relative to one another, thereby restoring normal function to the vertebrae.
Claims5
A method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- positioning a generally U-shaped posterior portion of an implant around a spinal cord and between resected facets of adjacent vertebrae, the posterior portion of the implant being adapted to couple to at least one of the adjacent vertebrae;
- positioning an anterior portion of the implant between the adjacent vertebrae such that the adjacent vertebrae are adapted to move relative to one another;
- and
- coupling the posterior portion of the implant to at least one of the adjacent vertebrae.
A method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- accessing a patient's spinal column using a posterior surgical approach;
- removing a disc disposed between adjacent vertebrae;
- and
- posteriorly positioning a generally U-shaped posterior portion of an implant around a spinal cord and between facet joints of adjacent vertebrae, and positioning an anterior portion of the implant between the adjacent vertebrae, the U-shaped posterior portion being adapted to couple to at least one of the adjacent vertebrae.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.