# US 7,608,106 B2 · Facet arthroplasty devices and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,608,106 B2 - Document ID: US7608106B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/275,448 - Filed: 2006-01-03 - Published: 2006-05-11 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 1999-10-22 - Assignees: Archus Orthopedics, Inc. - Inventors: Mark A Reiley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608106B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/1671: {for the spine} - A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/7068: {Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/8605: {Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone} - A61F 2/4405: {for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes (devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062)} - A61B 17/86: Pins or screws {or threaded wires; nuts therefor (A61B17/72 take precedence)} - A61F 2/28: Bones - A61F 2002/30387: {Dovetail connection} - A61F 2002/30433: {using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws} - A61F 2002/305: {Snap connection} - A61F 2002/30537: {adjustable} - A61F 2002/30604: {modular} - A61F 2002/30777: {Oblong apertures} - A61F 2002/30873: {Threadings machined on non-cylindrical external surfaces} - A61F 2002/449: {comprising multiple spinal implants located in different intervertebral spaces or in different vertebrae} - A61F 2002/4631: {the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented} - A61F 2220/0025: Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements - A61F 2220/0041: using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws - A61F 2250/0004: adjustable - A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel - A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys - A61F 2310/00029: Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium - A61F 2310/00131: Tantalum or Ta-based alloys - A61F 2310/00179: Ceramics or ceramic-like structures - A61F 2310/00329: Glasses, e.g. bioglass - A61F 2310/00604: Coating made of aluminium oxide or hydroxides - A61F 2310/00634: Coating made of zirconium oxide or hydroxides - A61F 2310/0097: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics - A61F 2310/00976: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF - Y10S 606/902: Cortical plate specifically adapted for a particular bone - Y10S 606/907: Composed of particular material or coated - Y10S 606/91: Polymer - Y10S 623/902: Method of implanting - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract Devices and surgical methods treat various types of adult spinal pathologies, such as degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, and kypho-scoliosis. Various types of spinal joint replacement prostheses, surgical procedures for performing spinal joint replacements, and surgical instruments are used to perform the surgical procedures. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A prosthesis to replace a cephalad portion of a natural facet joint on a vertebra, the prosthesis comprising: an artificial facet joint having an artificial bearing surface adapted and configured to replace the cephalad portion of the natural facet joint; an aperture in the artificial facet joint positioned adjacent to a pedicle; an aperture in the artificial facet joint positioned adjacent to or near the lamina; and a fixation element extending at least partially within the aperture in the artificial facet joint element positioned adjacent to or near the lamina, the fixation element being adapted and configured to be inserted into a lamina portion of a vertebra to affix the artificial facet joint element to the vertebra. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the artificial facet joint is configured to allow access to a pedicle portion of the vertebra. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the artificial facet joint includes a second aperture positioned adjacent or near the lamina. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein the aperture and the second aperture are on opposite sides of a midline of the vertebra so that a fixation element inserted into the aperture or the second aperture will traverse the midline to affix the artificial facet joint to the lamina. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the artificial bearing surface is adapted and configured to be in an anatomically correct position with respect to the vertebra when the prosthesis is affixed to the lamina by the fixation element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the artificial bearing surface is adapted and configured to be in other than an anatomically correct position with respect to the vertebra when the prosthesis is affixed to the lamina by the fixation element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 further comprising an attachment element adapted and configured to attach the artificial facet joint to the fixation element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the fixation element comprises an artificial facet joint element attachment end and an insertion tool engagement end, the artificial facet joint attachment end being adapted and configured to lie on one side of the lamina portion and the artificial facet joint attachment end being adapted and configured to lie on another side of the lamina portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the artificial facet joint is adapted and configured to be disposed between a caudal facet joint bearing surface and a portion of the vertebra. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the artificial facet joint comprises a cephalad bearing surface having a substantially convex shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the artificial facet joint artificial bearing surface is adapted and configured to replace a removed cephalad portion of the natural facet joint. ### Claim 12 A prosthesis to replace a cephalad portion of a natural facet joint on a vertebra, the prosthesis comprising: an artificial facet joint element with a bearing surface adapted and configured to replace the cephalad portion of the natural facet joint; a first fixation hole in the artificial facet joint element positioned to allow access medial of a pedicle on the vertebra and adapted and configured to allow fixation of the artificial facet joint element to the vertebra; a fixation element adapted and configured to affix the artificial facet joint element to the vertebra using the first fixation hole; and a second fixation hole in the artificial facet joint element adapted and configured to allow access to a pedicle portion of the vertebra. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The prosthesis of claim 12 wherein the artificial facet joint element comprises a cephalad bearing surface adapted and configured to be in an anatomically correct position with respect to the vertebra when the prosthesis is affixed to the vertebra by the fixation element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The prosthesis of claim 12 wherein the artificial facet joint element comprises a cephalad bearing surface adapted and configured to be in other than an anatomically correct position with respect to the vertebra when the prosthesis is affixed to the vertebra by the fixation element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The prosthesis of claim 12 further comprising an attachment element adapted and configured to attach the artificial facet joint element to the fixation element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The prosthesis of claim 12 wherein the fixation element comprises an artificial facet joint element attachment end and an insertion tool engagement end, the artificial facet joint attachment end being adapted and configured to lie on one side of a lamina portion of the vertebra and the artificial facet joint attachment end being adapted and configured to lie on another side of the lamina portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The prosthesis of claim 12 wherein the artificial facet joint element is adapted and configured to be disposed between a caudal facet joint bearing surface and a portion of the vertebra. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The prosthesis of claim 12 wherein the artificial facet joint element comprises a cephalad bearing surface having a substantially convex shape. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The prosthesis of claim 12 wherein the artificial facet joint element bearing surface is adapted and configured to replace a removed cephalad portion of the natural facet joint. ### Claim 20 A prosthesis to replace a caudal portion of a natural facet joint on a vertebra, the prosthesis comprising: an artificial facet joint element comprising a vertebra contacting surface and a caudal bearing surface, the caudal bearing surface being adapted and configured to replace the caudal portion of a natural facet joint and to be substantially entirely posterior of a contact portion of the vertebra when the vertebra contacting surface contacts the contact portion; an aperture through the artificial facet joint and configured to provide access to the pedicle of the vertebra; an aperture through the artificial facet joint element adapted and configured to provide midline access to the lamina of the vertebra when the vertebra contacting surface contacts the contact portion; and a fixation element adapted and configured to be inserted through the aperture configured to provide midline access to the lamina and into the vertebra to affix the prosthesis to the vertebra. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The prosthesis of claim 20 wherein the caudal bearing surface is further adapted and configured to be in an anatomically correct position with respect to the vertebra when the prosthesis is affixed to the vertebra by the fixation element. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The prosthesis of claim 20 wherein the caudal bearing surface is further adapted and configured to be in an other than anatomically correct position with respect to the vertebra when the prosthesis is affixed to the vertebra by the fixation element. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The prosthesis of claim 20 further comprising an attachment element adapted and configured to attach the artificial facet joint element to the fixation element. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The prosthesis of claim 20 wherein the caudal bearing surface has a substantially concave shape. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The prosthesis of claim 20 wherein the artificial facet joint element caudal bearing surface is adapted and configured to replace a removed caudal portion of the natural facet joint. ### Claim 26 A prosthesis to replace a caudal portion and a cephalad portion of a natural facet joint of cephalad and caudal vertebrae, the prosthesis comprising: an artificial cephalad facet joint element adapted and configured to replace the cephalad portion of the natural facet joint, the artificial cephalad facet joint element comprising a cephalad bearing surface; an aperture formed in the artificial cephalad facet joint element adapted and configured to allow access to a pedicle portion of the cephalad vertebra when the artificial cephalad facet joint element is position to replace the removed cephalad portion of the natural facet joint; an aperture formed in the artificial cephalad facet joint element adapted and configured to allow access to a lamina portion of the cephalad vertebra when the artificial cephalad facet joint element is positioned to replace the removed cephalad portion of the natural facet joint; a cephalad fixation element adapted and configured to be inserted through the aperture formed in the artificial cephalad facet joint element that is conflaured to allow access to the lamina portion of the cephalad vertebra and into that lamina portion to affix the artificial cephalad facet joint element to the cephalad vertebra; and an artificial caudal facet joint element adapted and configured to replace the caudal portion of the natural facet joint, the artificial caudal facet joint element comprising a caudal bearing surface adapted and configured to mate with the cephalad bearing surface. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein the aperture in the artificial cephalad facet joint element that is adapted and configured to allow access to a lamina portion of the cephalad vertebra is positioned such that the cephalad fixation element may be inserted through the aperture and the lamina portion of the vertebra to affix the artificial cephalad facet joint element to the vertebra without blocking access to a pedicle portion of the vertebra. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 further comprising: another aperture formed in the artificial cephalad facet joint element wherein the lamina portion of the cephalad vertebra is a first lamina portion of a cephalad vertebra, and the another aperture is adapted and configured to provide access through a second lamina portion of a cephalad vertebra; and a second cephalad fixation element adapted and configured to be inserted through the another aperture and the second lamina portion of the cephalad vertebra to affix the artificial cephalad facet joint element to the vertebra. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The prosthesis of claim 28 wherein first and second lamina portions of the cephalad vertebra are on opposite sides of a midline of the vertebra, the first or the second cephalad fixation elements traverse the midline to affix the artificial cephalad facet joint element to the vertebra. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein the artificial cephalad facet joint element is adapted and configured to be disposed between the caudal facet joint bearing surface and a portion of the cephalad vertebra. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 further comprising an aperture in the caudal fixation element adapted and configured to provide access to a lamina portion of the caudal vertebra; and a caudal fixation element adapted and configured to pass through the aperture in the caudal fixation element to affix the artificial caudal facet joint element to the caudal vertebra. ### Claim 32 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein the cephalad bearing surface and the caudal bearing surface are adapted and configured to be in anatomically correct positions with respect to the cephalad and caudal vertebrae when the prosthesis is affixed to the cephalad and caudal vertebrae, respectively. ### Claim 33 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein the cephalad bearing surface and the caudal bearing surface are adapted and configured to be in other than anatomically correct positions with respect to the cephalad and caudal vertebrae when the prosthesis is affixed to the cephalad and caudal vertebrae, respectively. ### Claim 34 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein cephalad bearing surface and the caudal bearing surface each has a width along its respective transverse axis, the cephalad bearing surface width being shorter than the caudal bearing surface width. ### Claim 35 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein the cephalad bearing surface has a substantially convex shape and the caudal bearing surface has a substantially concave shape. ### Claim 36 (depends on 26) The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein the artificial caudal facet joint element further comprises a vertebra contacting surface, the entire caudal bearing surface being adapted and configured to be posterior of a contact portion of the caudal vertebra when the vertebra contacting surface contacts the contact portion.