Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
SPINAL IMPLANT FOR FACET JOINT |
| Document Number: |
20080234735 |
| Publication Date: |
September 25, 2008 |
| Appl. No: |
11/677427 |
| Application Filed: |
February 21, 2007 |
| Abstract: |
An apparatus (10) and method are provided for supporting an adjacent pair of vertebra (14, 16) relative to each other by anchoring a support frame (30) to the superior spinous process (24) and the inferior spinous process (28) of two adjacent vertebra (14, 16); and anchoring the support frame (30) to either the superior facets (34) or inferior facets (32) of the two adjacent vertebrae (14, 16). |
| Inventors: |
Joshi, Abhijeet B. (Austin, TX, US) |
| Claim: |
1. A spinal implant for use in connection with the facet joints of an adjacent pair of vertebrae, the implant comprising; a frame sized to extend between two adjacent vertebra on the posterior side of a spine, the frame comprising a first anchor point configured to be anchored to the spinous process of one of the vertebra, a second anchor point spaced longitudinally from the first anchor point and configured to be anchored to the spinous process of the other vertebra, a third anchor point spaced laterally from the first and second anchor points and configured to be anchored to a facet of one of vertebra. |
| Claim: |
2. The implant of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second anchor points comprises a U-shaped opening configured to receive a spinous process, and the U-shaped opening is defined by a pair of projections that are spaced from each other to lie on opposite sides of a spinous process, each of the projections having an apertures therein to receive a fastener that will pass through a spinous process received in the U-shaped opening. |
| Claim: |
3. The implant of claim 1 wherein the frame further comprises: a longitudinal link extending between the first and second anchor points; and a first cantilevered arm extending between the link and the third anchor point. |
| Claim: |
4. The implant of claim 1 further comprising a fourth anchor point spaced laterally opposite from the third anchor point and configured to be anchored to another facet of the one of the vertebra. |
| Claim: |
5. The implant of claim 4 wherein the frame further comprises: a longitudinal link extending between the first and second anchor points; a first cantilevered arm extending between the link and the third anchor point; and a second cantilevered arm extending between the link and the fourth anchor point. |
| Claim: |
6. The implant of claim 5 wherein each of the first and second anchor points comprises a U-shaped opening configured to receive a spinous process, and the U-shaped opening is defined by a pair of projections that are spaced from each other to lie on opposite sides of a spinous process, each of the projections having an apertures therein to receive a fastener that will pass through a spinous process received in the U-shaped opening. |
| Claim: |
7. The implant of claim 5 wherein each of the third and fourth anchor points comprises a surface shaped to conform to the corresponding facet. |
| Claim: |
8. The implant of claim 5 wherein: the third anchor point comprises an aperture formed in the first cantilevered arm to receive a fastener that engages the one of the vertebra; and the fourth anchor point comprises an aperture formed in the second cantilevered arm to receive a fastener that engages the one of the vertebra. |
| Claim: |
9. The implant of claim 5 wherein the longitudinal link has a bending stiffness selected to allow a desired range of motion for the spine. |
| Claim: |
10. The implant of claim 5 wherein the longitudinal link has a bending stiffness selected to allow a desired range of motion for the spine and each of the arms have a bending stiffness selected to allow a desired range of motion for the spine. |
| Claim: |
11. The implant of claim 3 wherein the frame is a unitary component. |
| Claim: |
12. The implant of claim 3 wherein the cantilevered arm is made from a different material than the material of the link and are detachably connected to the link. |
| Claim: |
13. The implant of claim 3 wherein the cantilevered arm includes a threaded end that is threaded into a corresponding receiving opening in the link. |
| Claim: |
14. The implant of claim 3 wherein the cantilevered arm includes an end that is press fit into a corresponding receiving opening in the link. |
| Claim: |
15. A method of supporting an adjacent pair of vertebrae relative to each other, the method comprising the steps of: a) anchoring a support frame to the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process of two adjacent vertebrae; and b) anchoring the support frame to at least one facet of the two adjacent vertebrae. |
| Claim: |
16. The method of claim 13 wherein step b) comprises anchoring the support frame to two of the facets of the two adjacent vertebrae. |
| Claim: |
17. The method of claim 16 wherein: step a) is performed through a first incision; and step b) is performed through a pair of incisions spaced on laterally opposite sides of the first incision. |
| Claim: |
18. The method of claim 17 wherein step b) further comprises assembling at least part of the support frame in situ. |
| Claim: |
19. The method of claim 17 wherein steps a) and b) are performed through a common incision. |
| Claim: |
20. The method of claim 13 wherein step b) comprises engaging a bone fastener with the frame and with at least one of the vertebral body, a superior facet, and an inferior facet. |
| Claim: |
21. A method of supporting an adjacent pair of vertebra relative to each other, the method comprising the steps of: controlling the spacing between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process of two adjacent vertebrae; and providing cantilever support to at least one facet joint of the two adjacent vertebrae from the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process of the two adjacent vertebrae. |
| Claim: |
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the providing step comprises providing cantilevered support to the facet joints of the two adjacent vertebrae from the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process of the two adjacent vertebrae. |
| Claim: |
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the controlling step comprises connecting a link to the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process. |
| Claim: |
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the providing step comprises connecting a pair of arms to the link, each of the arms extending from the link to one of the facet joints. |
| Claim: |
25. The method of claim 22 wherein the providing step further comprises inserting the arms through a respective pair of incisions prior to the connecting step. |
| Current U.S. Class: |
606/247 |
| Current International Class: |
61; 61 |
| Accession Number: |
edspap.20080234735 |
| Database: |
USPTO Patent Applications |
