Crossbar spinal prosthesis having a modular design and systems for treating spinal pathologies

Abstract

An adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis, including a pedicle fixation element; a laminar fixation element; and a facet joint bearing surface having a location adaptable with respect at least one of the pedicle fixation element and the laminar fixation element. The invention also includes a method of implanting an adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis including the steps of determining a desired position for a facet joint bearing surface; and attaching a prosthesis comprising a facet joint bearing surface to a pedicle portion of a vertebra and a lamina portion of a vertebra to place the facet joint bearing surface in the desired position. The invention also provides a facet joint prosthesis implant tool including a tool guide adapted to guide a vertebra cutting tool; and first and second fixation hole alignment elements extending from the saw guide. The invention also provides systems for treating spinal pathologies that include intervertebral discs in combination with spinal and facet joint prostheses.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 973,939 to Kuiper et al., filed Oct. 25, 2004 entitled “Crossbar Spinal Prosthesis Having A Modular Design And Related Implantation Methods” which is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 831,657 to Tokish et al., filed Apr. 22, 2004, and entitled “Anti-Rotation Fixation Element for Spinal Prosthesis”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 122,271 to Kuiper et al., filed May 3, 2005 entitled “Crossbar Spinal Prosthesis Having a Modular Design and Related Implantation Methods which is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 071,541 to Kuiper et al., filed Mar. 2, 2005, entitled “Crossbar Spinal Prosthesis Having a Modular Design and Related Implantation Methods,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 831,657 to Tokish et al., filed Apr. 22, 2004, and entitled “Anti-Rotation Fix...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0028]In yet another embodiment, there is provided a crossbar that is adaptable and configured for placement joining two cephalad elements, or alternatively, two caudal elements. Additional crossbar embodiments provide different attachment mechanisms and locations between the elements. Moreover, additional embodiments provide adaptability of one or more cephalad elements, one or more caudal elements and / or one or more crossbar elements.

[0036]In additional alternative embodiments, there are provided different components, methods and configurations to provide improved tissue shielding capabilities, such as for example, basing the selection of the modular components on reducing the occurrence of tissue being caught in the prosthesis. In one specific embodiment, the relative positions are modified such as by reversing the caudal and the cephalad bearings to protect tissue from getting caught in the contacting arms.

Problems solved by technology

Prosthesis customization to patient specific disease state and anatomy are among the challenges faced when implanting a prosthesis.

Current prostheses designs have not provided prosthesis systems having modular designs that are configurable and adaptable to patient specific disease state and anatomy.

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