# US 7,749,251 B2 · Method and apparatus for stabilization of facet joint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,749,251 B2 - Document ID: US7749251B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/462,308 - Filed: 2003-06-13 - Published: 2004-12-16 - Granted: 2010-07-06 - Earliest claimed: 2003-06-13 - Assignees: Aeolin, LLC - Inventors: Theodore G. Obenchain; Laurence M. McKinley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7749251B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/8605: {Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone} - A61B 17/863: {with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper} - A61B 17/8863: {Apparatus for shaping or cutting osteosynthesis equipment by medical personnel} - A61B 17/8875: {Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches} - A61B 17/861: {specially shaped for gripping driver} - A61B 17/8635: {Tips of screws} - A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment} - A61B 2090/037: {with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system for stabilizing according to claim 1, further comprising a cutter with a longitudinal shaft and a first and second cutting edge, the longitudinal shaft configured to reach one of the screw and the torque projecting head through a surgical opening and sufficiently narrow to allow a view of the screw through the surgical opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system for stabilizing according to claim 2, wherein the cutter further comprises: a first handle; a second handle rotatably connected to the first handle, wherein the longitudinal shaft extends from the first handle with a diameter sufficiently narrow to allow a view of said facet screw through said surgical opening when the longitudinal shaft is inserted into said surgical opening; and wherein the first cutting edge is fixedly coupled to the first handle and projects from the longitudinal shaft at a first angle, and wherein the second cutting edge is coupled to the second handle and projects parallel to the first cutting edge such that when the second handle is moved closer to the first handle the second cutting edge approaches a facing edge of the first cutting edge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system for stabilizing according to claim 3, wherein the first angle is substantially orthogonal to the first handle and the longitudinal shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system for stabilizing according to claim 3, wherein the at least one of the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge comprises carbide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system for stabilizing according to claim 3, wherein the first handle includes a grip stabilizer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The system for stabilizing according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal shaft, has a first end and a second end, with a diameter sufficiently narrow to allow a view of said facet screw through said surgical opening when the longitudinal shaft is inserted into said surgical opening, wherein the first cutting edge is fixedly coupled to the first end and projects from the longitudinal shaft at a first angle, and wherein the second cutting edge is coupled to the first end and projects parallel to the first cutting edge; and wherein the cutter further comprises a ratchet mechanism, having an activating end proximate to the second end and rotatably coupled to the first and second cutting edges, such that when the activating end is rotated relative to the first and second cutting edges, the second cutting edge approaches a facing edge of the first cutting edge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system for stabilizing according to claim 7, wherein the first angle is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal shaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system for stabilizing according to claim 7, wherein the at least one of the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge comprises carbide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system for stabilizing according to claim 1, wherein the torque transmitter is a cable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system for stabilizing according to claim 10, wherein the cable is braided. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system for stabilizing according to claim 1, wherein the fixed angle is obtuse. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system for stabilizing according to claim 1, wherein the fixed angle is approximately 90-120 degrees. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system for stabilizing according to claim 1, wherein the fixed angle is adjustable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system for stabilizing according to claim 1, wherein the torque generator further comprises a motor electrically coupled to the torque transmitter for rotating the torque transmitter about the first axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system for stabilizing according to claim 1 wherein the screw for fixing a facet joint, wherein the threads of the threaded shaft are spaced from each other at a progressively larger distance towards the screw head portion, and wherein the threaded shaft is substantially elliptical. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system for stabilizing according to claim 16, wherein the screw head portion is substantially bulbous. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system for stabilizing according to claim 16, wherein a total length of the screw is approximately 10-14 mm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system for stabilizing according to claim 16, wherein a diameter of the threaded shaft portion of the screw is approximately 2 mm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system for stabilizing according to claim 16, wherein the screw comprises a bioactive material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The system for stabilizing according to claim 16, wherein the screw comprises a bioabsorbable material.