# US 7,608,094 B2 · Percutaneous facet fixation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,608,094 B2 - Document ID: US7608094B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/683,076 - Filed: 2003-10-10 - Published: 2004-07-22 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2002-10-10 - Assignees: U.S. Spinal Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Mark H. Falahee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608094B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/1757: {for the spine} - A61B 17/8665: {Nuts} - A61B 17/8695: {Washers (surrounding screw head in plate hole A61B17/8047, between bone plate and bone A61B17/8028)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including the step of: providing instrumentation configured to hold the deep locking nut in position while driving the facet bolt; and disengaging and removing the instrumentation once the facet joint is compressed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the deep locking nut is wedge-shaped. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the instrumentation including a pair of elongate members, one with a bent distal end to hold the deep locking nut. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further including the step of making a midline incision over the proximal spinous process to access the facet joint with the instrumentation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the deep locking nut includes a plurality of fixation spikes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including the steps of: providing an unthreaded washer for contacting an inferior facet; and driving the facet bolt through the washer before the facet bolt engages with the deep locking nut. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the washer includes a plurality of fixation spikes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the washer is wedge-shaped. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including the step of compressing the facet joint prior to the step of driving the facet bolt. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a facet bolt includes the provision of a self-drilling facet bolt. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including the step of locking the facet bolt and the deep locking nut. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the deep locking nut includes a plurality of fixation spikes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the deep locking nut is wedge-shaped. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further including the steps of: providing an unthreaded washer for contacting an inferior facet; and driving the facet bolt through the washer before the facet bolt engages with the deep locking nut. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the washer includes a plurality of fixation spikes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the washer is wedge-shaped. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the instrumentation includes a user control operative to compress the facet joint prior to driving the facet bolt. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further including the step of locking the facet bolt and the deep locking nut. ### Claim 21 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the deep locking nut includes a plurality of fixation spikes. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the deep locking nut is wedge-shaped. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the washer includes a plurality of fixation spikes. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the washer is wedge-shaped.