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Facet joint prosthesis

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-08-23
GLOBUS MEDICAL INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The facet joints can deteriorate or otherwise become injured or diseased, causing lack of support for the spinal column, pain, and / or difficulty in movement.
Facet joint degeneration and disc degeneration frequently occur together, although one may be the primary problem and the other a secondary phenomenon due to altered mechanics of the spine.
Currently, surgical approaches for spinal stenosis do not restore normal function.
In some instances, decompression with removal of soft tissue restraints and portions of the facet joints may actually cause instability, or, at a minimum, alter normal mechanics.
As a result, instability that has inadvertently been induced by medical treatment can lead to further degeneration and pain.
Spinal fusion puts stress on adjacent structures, and accelerates transitional degeneration and may cause stenosis at the adjacent segment.
Secondary operations for hardware removal are occasionally required, and bone graft donor site pain can be a real problem for many patients.

Method used

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  • Facet joint prosthesis
  • Facet joint prosthesis
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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0044] Embodiments of the invention will now be described. The following detailed description of the invention is not intended to be illustrative of all embodiments. In describing embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. It is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0045]FIGS. 1 and 2 are lateral and axial views, respectively, of an exemplary vertebra of a vertebral column. Each vertebra includes a vertebral body 1, which is the anterior, massive part of bone that gives strength to the vertebral column and supports body weight. The vertebral arch 2 is posterior to the vertebral body 1 and is formed by the right and left pedicles 3 and lamina 4. The pedicles 3 are short, stout processes that join the vertebral arch 2 to the vertebral...

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Abstract

A facet joint prosthesis comprising an inferior prosthetic portion and a superior prosthetic portion is disclosed. Inferior prosthetic portion includes a first anchor member and a first articulating member and superior prosthetic portion includes a second anchor member and a second articulating member. The first articulating member comprises a support portion and first articulating surface and the second articulating member comprises a second articulating surface, and first and second articulating surfaces are configured and dimensioned to contact or engage one another. A flexible element is positioned between the support portion and the first articulating surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 742,527, filed Dec. 6, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for treating spinal stenosis or for alleviating pain or discomfort associated with the spinal column. More specifically, the present invention is directed to several different types of spinal joint replacement prostheses. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The facet joints can deteriorate or otherwise become injured or diseased, causing lack of support for the spinal column, pain, and / or difficulty in movement. [0004] Facet joint degeneration and disc degeneration frequently occur together, although one may be the primary problem and the other a secondary phenomenon due to altered mechanics of the spine. Central and lateral spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, an...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A61F2/44
CPCA61B17/7064A61B17/7059A61F2/4405A61F2002/30331A61F2002/30378A61F2002/30462A61F2002/305A61F2002/3055A61F2002/30563A61F2002/30565A61F2002/30649A61F2220/0025A61F2220/0033A61F2220/0075A61F2310/00011A61F2310/00179A61B17/7067A61B17/8605
Inventor BOYER, MICHAEL L.LASKOWITZ, DANIELPAUL, DAVID C.RHODA, WILLIAM S.IOTT, ANDREWLEE, ANDREWBAKER, KELLYBINDER, LAWRENCE
Owner GLOBUS MEDICAL INC