US 7,744,630 B2 · Facet repair and stabilization

Abstract

An implant for use with the opposing facets of two adjacent vertebrae includes a facet bearing body having a cavity for receiving a filler material, and at least one fixation wing for securing the facet bearing body to at least one of the two vertebrae, wherein the facet bearing body is positionable between the opposing facets and the at least one fixation wing is fixable to at least one of the two vertebrae. The filler material may be an in situ curable polymer such as bone cement, a polyurethane or an elastomer. To stabilize the adjacent vertebrae, the facet bearing body is inserted between the opposing facets of the adjacent vertebrae. The at least one fixation wing is fixed to at least one of the two adjacent vertebrae. The filler material is injected into the cavity and allowed to harden.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An implant for use between the opposing facets of a facet joint between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

an implant member including a facet bearing body, the facet bearing body having a cavity for receiving a filler material, the facet bearing body being wedge-shaped with a greater dimension at a second end than a first end;
and
at least one fixation wing extending from the first end of the facet bearing body for securing the implant to at least one of the two vertebrae, wherein the facet bearing body is positionable between the opposing facets of the facet joint and the at least one fixation wing is fixable to at least one of the two vertebrae and the cavity extends into the at least one fixation wing, wherein the implant is made of an elastomeric material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facet repair and stabilization

Life of this patent

Facet repair and stabilization

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20