# US 9,517,077 B2 · Vertebral facet joint drill and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,077 B2 - Document ID: US9517077B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/629,830 - Filed: 2015-02-24 - Published: 2015-06-18 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-22 - Assignees: Spinal Elements, Inc. - Applicants: Spinal Elements, Inc. - Inventors: Jason Blain; Eric Kovach - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517077B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/1637: {Hollow drills or saws producing a curved cut, e.g. cylindrical (A61B10/025, A61B17/1695 take precedence)} - A61B 17/1608: {the two jaw elements being linked to two elongated shaft elements moving longitudinally relative to each other} - A61B 17/1615: {Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material} - A61B 17/1642: {for producing a curved bore} - A61B 17/1671: {for the spine} - A61B 17/562: {Implants for placement in joint gaps without restricting joint motion, e.g. to reduce arthritic pain} - A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column comprising: a shaft comprising a proximal section and a distal section; at least one lumen-forming arm slideably coupled to the shaft, the at least one lumen-forming arm biased in a curved shape; and a flexible drill bit extending axially through the at least one lumen-forming arm and axially rotatable within the at least one lumen-forming arm, the flexible drill bit comprising a drill bit tip configured to cut through a vertebral articular process; an alignment guide coupled to the shaft; wherein the at least one lumen-forming arm is slideable from a retracted configuration to an advanced configuration, wherein in the advanced configuration the at least one lumen-forming arm extends in the curved shape from the distal section and toward the alignment guide. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 1, wherein the alignment guide further comprises an opposing target member having a target plate, wherein the least one lumen-forming arm extends in the curved shape from the distal section and to the target plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 2, wherein the opposing target member has a fixed configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 2, wherein the opposing target member has a movable configuration relative to the shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 1, further comprising an arm guide for guiding the path of the lumen-forming arm as the at least one lumen-forming arm extends in the curved shape from the distal section and toward the alignment guide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 5, wherein the arm guide is distally extendable and comprises a pointed tip configured to secure to the vertebra. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 1, wherein the alignment guide further comprises a spacer coupled to the shaft, wherein the at least one lumen-forming arm extends in the curved shape from the distal section and through the spacer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 7, wherein the spacer comprises an opening or an indentation aligned with the at least one lumen-forming arm. ### Claim 9 A device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column comprising: a shaft comprising a proximal section and a distal section; at least one lumen-forming arm slideably coupled to the shaft and comprising: a tube biased in a curved shape toward the distal section; and a flexible drill bit extending axially through the tube and axially rotatable within the tube, the flexible drill bit comprising a drill bit tip configured to cut through a vertebral articular process; a coupler disposed toward the proximal section of the shaft and connected to the flexible drill bit, wherein the coupler is configured to transfer axial rotation to the flexible drill bit; wherein the at least one lumen-forming arm is slideable from a retracted configuration to an advanced configuration, wherein in the advanced configuration the at least one lumen-forming arm extends in the curved shape from the distal section; a spacing member coupled to the shaft, wherein the spacing member comprises a spacer positioned adjacent the at least one lumen-forming arm; and a second lumen-forming arm that opposes the at least one lumen-forming arm and wherein the spacer is positioned between the two opposing lumen-forming arms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 9, wherein the at least one lumen-forming arm is non-linear. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device for forming a curved lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 9, wherein the spacer comprises an opening or an indentation aligned with the at least one lumen-forming arm. ### Claim 12 A device for forming a lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column comprising: a shaft; at least one lumen-forming arm slideably coupled to the shaft and comprising a drill bit configured to cut through a vertebral articular process, the at least one lumen-forming arm configured to travel in a path from a first bone to a second bone; an alignment guide coupled to the shaft, the alignment guide configured to be placed adjacent to the second bone; wherein the at least one lumen-forming arm is slideable from a retracted configuration to an advanced configuration, wherein in the advanced configuration the at least one lumen-forming arm extends from the shaft and toward the alignment guide. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device for forming a lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 12, wherein the at least one lumen-forming arm is non-linear. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device for forming a lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 12, wherein the alignment guide further comprises an opposing target member having a target plate, wherein the least one lumen-forming arm extends in the curved shape from the distal section and to the target plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device for forming a lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 14, wherein the opposing target member has a fixed configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The device for forming a lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 14, wherein the opposing target member has a movable configuration relative to the shaft. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The device for forming a lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 12, wherein the alignment guide further comprises a spacing member coupled to the shaft, wherein the least one lumen-forming arm extends in the curved shape from the distal section and through the spacing member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device for forming a lumen in an articular process of a vertebral column as in claim 17, wherein the spacing member comprises an opening or an indentation aligned with the at least one lumen-forming arm.