US 7,749,251 B2 · Method and apparatus for stabilization of facet joint

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for stabilizing a facet joint are provided herein. The surgical method includes angling a screw from a ventral and a lateral side of the spine toward a dorsal and medial side of the spine, and screwing the screw through a superior facet of an inferior vertebra and into an inferior facet of a superior vertebra. The system includes a screwdriver insertable into a surgical opening, a screw coupled to the screwdriver and a torque transmitter coupled to and rotatable with a head on the screwdriver. The screwdriver apparatus includes a handle and a head projecting at an obtuse angle from the handle. The head in turn is coupled to and rotatable with a torque transmitter. The accompanying facet screw includes a sharp and self-tapping point, an ellipsoidal shaft with progressively spaced threads, and a bulbous screw head. The optional cutter includes a narrow, longitudinal shaft with a two-handle closing mechanism.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A system for stabilizing a facet joint comprising:

a screwdriver, itself comprising:
an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a first axis;
a torque generator disposed at the proximal end of the shaft;
a torque projecting head disposed at the distal end of the shaft and defining and rotatable about a second axis, wherein the first and the second axes are defined by a fixed angle therebetween;
a torque transmitter coupled between the torque generator and the torque projecting head, such that rotation of the torque generator about the first axis rotates the torque projecting head about the second axis;
a self-tapping screw defining a screw head and a threaded screw shaft, the screw being integrally formed as a single piece with the torque projecting head of the screwdriver;
and
wherein the screwdriver is sized to be insertable into a posterolateral surgical opening,
and the screw is sized to be insertable into said facet joint.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for stabilization of facet joint

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for stabilization of facet joint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21