US 7,803,189 B2Granted

Prosthetic facet and facet joint replacement device

AssigneeSpinal Kinetics, Inc.

InventorNicholas C. Koske

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Abstract

Spinal stabilization devices, systems, and methods are described. Foramenal spacers including a rigid member adapted to maintain the integrity of the foramenal space. Facet joint stabilizing members and prosthetic facet joints that augment or replace the native facet joint are also described. Lateral spinal stabilization systems that may be attached to the lateral surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies are described. Also described are anterior spinal stabilization systems that are to be attached to the anterior surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies. Several variations of dynamic spinal stabilization devices and systems are described. Each of the foregoing devices, systems, and methods may be used independently, in combination with the other devices, systems, and methods described herein, and/or in combination with prosthetic intervertebral discs.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A prosthetic device configured to replace a pair of facets on adjacent upper and lower vertebral bodies and the facet joint between those facets in that spine from which spine the facets and facet joints to be replaced have been removed, comprising:

a.) an elongated upper attachment arm curved forward and configured to conform to and to attach at an upper end to a prepared facet site on the lateral posterior of the upper vertebral body, the facet site being prepared by the removal of the facet and the facet joint, and the elongated upper attachment arm being attached at an opposite end to a compressible stabilizing member,
b.) an elongated lower attachment arm curved rearward and configured to conform to and to attach at a lower end to a prepared facet site on the lateral posterior of the lower vertebral body, the facet site being prepared by the removal of the facet and the facet joint, and the elongated lower attachment arm being attached at an opposite end to the compressible stabilizing member, and,
c.) the compressible stabilizing member fixedly attached to the upper and lower attachment arms, the compressible stabilizing member further comprising an upper endplate fixedly attached to the elongated upper attachment arm, a lower endplate fixedly attached to the elongated lower attachment arm, and a plurality of fibers wound between and interconnecting the upper endplate and lower endplate.

A prosthetic device to replace facets on adjacent upper, mid, and lower vertebral bodies and a facet joint therebetween comprising:

a.) an elongated upper attachment arm curved forward and configured to conform to and to attach at an upper end of a prepared facet site on the lateral posterior of the upper vertebral body and fixedly attached to an opposite end to a first compressible stabilizing member comprising an upper endplate fixedly attached to the elongated upper attachment arm and a lower endplate fixedly attached to an elongated mid attachment arm and further comprising a plurality of fibers wound between and interconnecting the upper endplate and the lower endplate,
b.) the elongated middle attachment arm having i.) a curved upper portion fixedly attached to the first compressible stabilizing member, ii.) a central portion curved and configured to conform to and to attach at a prepared facet site on the lateral posterior of the mid vertebral body and iii.) a curved lower portion fixedly attached to a second compressible stabilizing member comprising a second upper endplate fixedly attached to the elongated mid attachment arm and a second lower endplate fixedly attached to an elongated lower attachment arm and further comprising a plurality of fibers wound between and interconnecting the second upper endplate and the second lower endplate, and
c.) an elongated lower attachment arm curved rearward and configured to conform to and to attach at a lower end to a prepared facet site on the lateral posterior of the lower vertebral body and fixedly attached at an opposite end to the second compressible stabilizing member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/529,849Filed 29 Sep 2006 · continuation in part
Priority: 23 Sep 2005
Published: US 2007/0083200 A119 Jul 2007
Granted: 28 Sep 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

A61B 17/7071
Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant: implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch…
A61F 2/4405
For the spine, e.g. vertebrae or spinal discs: for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes
A61B 17/7064
Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs ; Tools for such devices: devices…
A61B 2017/00867
Material properties: shape memory effect