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US 7,608,094 B2Granted
Percutaneous facet fixation system
AssigneeU.S. Spinal Technologies, LLC
InventorMark H. Falahee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A percutaneous facet fixation system minimally invasive, reproducible, efficient, and effective. Capable of immediate stabilization of a facet joint complex, the instrumentation and methods may be used with C-arm and/or endoscopic visualization.
Claims25
A method of fusing a facet joint, comprising the steps of:
- providing a deep locking nut and a physically separate facet bolt;
- positioning the deep locking nut so as to abut the lateral surface of a superior facet forming part of a facet joint;
- driving the facet bolt through the facet joint and the deep locking nut, thereby compressing the facet joint.
A method of fusing a facet joint, comprising the steps of:
- providing a deep locking nut and a physically separate facet bolt;
- providing instrumentation including a bent distal end to hold the deep locking nut and drive the facet bolt through facet joint and the deep locking nut;
- positioning the bent distal end of the instrumentation behind the facet joint such that the deep locking nut abuts the lateral surface of a superior facet forming the facet joint;
- operating the instrumentation to drive the facet bolt through the facet joint until the bolt locks with the deep locking nut;
- disengaging the holder on the bent distal end of the instrumentation from the deep locking nut;
- and
- removing the instrumentation.
4 more elements
A method of fusing a facet joint, comprising the steps of:
- providing a deep locking nut, a facet bolt, and an unthreaded washer;
- providing instrumentation including a bent distal end with a holder for the deep locking nut, a handle for compressing a facet joint, and a tool for driving the facet bolt through the washer and into deep locking nut;
- positioning the bent distal end of the instrumentation such that the deep locking nut abuts the lateral surface of a superior facet forming the facet joint;
- positioning the washer so as to contact an inferior facet forming the facet joint;
- operating the handle so as to compress the washer and deep locking nut, thereby compressing the facet joint;
- operating the tool to drive the facet bolt through the washer and facet joint until locking with the deep locking nut;
- and
- disengaging the holder on the bent distal end of the instrumentation from the deep locking nut and removing the instrumentation.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.