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US 7,553,320 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for replacing the function of facet joints
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsFred Molz, IV, Jeff Justis, Michael Sherman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method is provided for replacing the functions of a facet joint between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra without necessarily requiring an anatomical implant. The method includes: providing one or more flexible posterior devices to replace main functions of the facet joint; and adapting a first one of the one or more posterior devices for a first attachment to a first pedicle, and a second attachment to a second pedicle.
Claims15
A surgical implant for replacing functions of a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae, the surgical implant comprising:
- a first biocompatible attachment device for attaching to a first pedicle of a superior vertebrae;
- a second biocompatible attachment device for attaching to a second pedicle of an inferior vertebrae;
- and
- a flexible member attached to the first and second biocompatible attachment devices configured in a manner to allow motion at the facet joint;
- wherein the first and second biocompatible attachment devices are positioned, and the flexible member is adapted, so that the surgical implant applies a distracting force between the superior and inferior vertebrae sufficient for maintaining the first and second pedicles at a spaced-apart distance,
- wherein the flexible member includes:
- a first component comprising:
- an elongated body and a first joint element having a first opening;
- a second component comprising:
- an elongated body and a second joint element having a second opening wherein the second joint element is coupled with the first joint element;
- an elastic material disposed through both the first and second openings in a manner that dynamically secures the first and second components together and elastically flexes in a manner that permits relative movement between the first and second components;
- and
- a connector covering the first joint element and the second joint element, wherein the connector comprises the elastic material.
10 more elements
A prosthetic device for replacing functions of a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae, the prosthetic device comprising:
- one or more flexible posterior devices configured to replace main functions of the facet joint, having a first biocompatible attachment device configured to attach to a first transverse process, and a second biocompatible attachment device configured to attach to a second transverse process, and wherein the one or more flexible posterior devices includes a joint component positioned between the first and second biocompatible attachment devices,
- wherein the one or more flexible posterior devices comprises:
- a first elongated body;
- and
- a second elongated body,
- wherein the joint component includes:
- a first element associated with the first elongated body, the first element having a first opening, and
- a second element associated with the second elongated body, the second element having a second opening, wherein the second element is coupled with the first element by an elastic material disposed in both the first and second openings;
- and
- a connector covering the first element and the second element wherein the connector comprises the elastic material.
7 more elements
A surgical implant for replacing functions of a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae, the surgical implant comprising:
- a first biocompatible attachment device for attaching to a first pedicle of a superior vertebrae;
- a second biocompatible attachment device for attaching to a second pedicle of an inferior vertebrae;
- and
- a flexible member attached to the first and second biocompatible attachment devices configured in a manner to allow motion at the facet joint;
- wherein the first and second biocompatible attachment devices are positioned, and the flexible member is adapted, so that the surgical implant applies a biasing distracting force between the superior and inferior vertebrae sufficient for maintaining the first and second pedicles at a spaced-apart distance,
- wherein the flexible member includes:
- a first component comprising:
- an elongated body and a first joint element having a first opening;
- a second component comprising:
- an elongated body and a second joint element having a second opening wherein the second joint element is coupled with the first joint element;
- an elastic material that flexes to impart flexibility to the flexible member, the elastic material being disposed through both the first and second openings in a manner that dynamically secures the first and second components together and elastically flexes in a manner that permits relative movement between the first and second components and the superior and inferior vertebrae;
- and
- a connector covering the first joint element and the second joint element, wherein the connector comprises the elastic material.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.