Cervical facet joint implant

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide an implant for a cervical facet joint that can significantly improve the efficiency, productivity, and safety of the procedure by preventing pain and paralysis symptoms and shortening the procedure time, by enabling the gap between the upper and lower joints of the cervical spine and the lower joint of the cervical spine, which connects the lower joint of the cervical spine and the upper joint of the lower cervical spine, to be widened through a simple procedure and simultaneously replace the cervical facet joint when the space between the upper and lower joints of the cervical spine narrows due to wear or damage and compresses the root nerve.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an implant for a cervical facet joint, and more specifically, to an implant for a cervical facet joint that can relieve pain and paralysis symptoms caused by a compressed nerve by inserting and fixing it between narrowed facet joints when the space between the cervical facet joints has narrowed due to bad habits or accidents in daily life. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, the spine is formed by 33 bones extending from the lower part of the human skull to the buttocks. Each vertebra is connected by a joint called a disc, which supports the spine and acts as a cushion. The seven bones from the top are called the cervical vertebrae.

[0004] The cervical spine has a structure in which a vertebral foramen is formed between the vertebral body and the spinous process, through which the root nerve passes. However, if the cervical disc is damaged or worn down due to aging or external impact, or if the space between the cervical facet joints narrows and compresses the root nerve, it causes severe pain and can even lead to symptoms of paralysis.

[0005] As shown in Fig. 1, the cervical facet joints are located at the posterior part of the vertebrae in each segment of the spine, and there are two pairs above and below each segment. They are joints formed by the interlocking of the inferior articular process of the upper cervical vertebra and the superior articular process of the lower cervical vertebra, and are also called facet joints. They play a role in creating movement of the spine while simultaneously performing the function of dispersing forces applied to the spine and absorbing shock. However, due to aging, wear and tear, or damage, the cervical facet joints narrow, and symptoms of pain, numbness, and paralysis frequently occur.

[0007] In such cases, the implant device for the first cervical vertebra of Patent Registration No. 10-1782455, which was previously proposed, is configured to enable self-fixation maintenance at the first cervical vertebra solely through the procedure of the implant component, but this also frequently results in a long surgery time and poor postoperative prognosis.

[0008] In addition, in cases where the discs connecting the vertebrae are damaged, surgery to insert an artificial disc between the damaged cervical vertebrae, as described in Patent Registration No. 10-1484073, is performed to secure the mobility of the spine or cervical vertebrae and improve mobility.

[0009] However, the act of inserting the aforementioned artificial disc between the vertebrae or cervical vertebrae is a very dangerous surgery requiring great care, and it entails the problem of requiring a long period of time for full recovery after the operation. Prior art literature

[0011] Patent Registration Publication No. 10-1782455 Patent Registration Publication No. 10-1484073 The problem to be solved

[0012] Therefore, in order to resolve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide an implant for a cervical facet joint that can significantly improve the efficiency, productivity, and safety of the procedure by preventing the occurrence of pain and paralysis symptoms and shortening the procedure time, by enabling the gap between the upper and lower joints of the cervical spine and the lower joint of the cervical spine, which connect the lower joint of the cervical spine and the upper joint of the lower cervical spine, to be widened through a simple procedure and simultaneously replace the cervical facet joint when the space between the upper and lower joints of the cervical spine narrows due to wear or damage and compresses the root nerve. means of solving the problem

[0014] To achieve the above objective, the present invention is provided in a rectangular shape so as to be inserted and fixed between the lower joint of a cervical vertebra and the upper joint of a lower cervical vertebra where the gap is narrowed, wherein a space filled with bone is formed by vertically penetrating the center, pores are formed in a porous structure on the outer periphery in communication with said space, a plurality of fixing protrusions are formed on the upper and lower surfaces surrounding said space, a coupling hole is formed in the center of one side so as to penetrate horizontally with said space, and fastening holes are formed on the upper and lower parts of the other side so as to penetrate at an acute angle so as to allow screws to be inserted.

[0015] In addition, the present invention is characterized by forming a plurality of insertion holes vertically through the upper and lower surfaces surrounding the space portion, and inserting and connecting a recognition pin into each of the insertion holes so as to allow the position of the implant to be confirmed via X-ray during the procedure.

[0016] In addition, the present invention is characterized by forming the middle portions of the surrounding upper and lower surfaces of the space portion convexly, respectively, so that they can be stably coupled and fixed between the posterior cervical joints. Effects of the invention

[0018] As described above, by providing an implant for the cervical facet joint according to the present invention, the space between the narrowed lower cervical joint and the upper cervical joint of the lower cervical spine can be widened through a simple procedure to relieve the compression of the root nerve penetrating the spinal canal, thereby relieving the pain and paralysis symptoms caused by this, which helps maintain the patient's health, and also significantly improves the efficiency and productivity of the procedure by shortening the procedure time as much as possible. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] Figure 1 is an example diagram illustrating the structure of the cervical facet joint. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an implant for a cervical facet joint according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an implant for a cervical facet joint according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a left-side illustrative view showing an implant for a cervical facet joint according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a planar exemplary view illustrating an implant for a cervical facet joint according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating the state in which an implant for a cervical facet joint according to the present invention is implanted. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. However, in describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0023] As described above, the cervical facet joint implant according to the present invention is designed to restore a patient's health through a simple procedure of inserting it to replace the cervical facet joint when pain and paralysis occur due to compression of the root nerve passing through the spinal canal caused by wear and damage to the cervical facet joints forming seven cervical vertebrae. After inserting the implant (10) between the lower and upper joints of the cervical vertebrae, a separate screw (N) is provided to firmly fix it to the cervical vertebrae.

[0024] Specifically, the implant (10) is provided in a roughly rectangular shape, and a space (12) is formed in the center that is vertically penetrated and filled with bone (bone powder) or bone cement.

[0025] Here, the above-mentioned space (12) is formed to be penetrating in a rectangular or elliptical shape, but is not limited to that shape.

[0026] On the outer circumference of the above implant (10), a porous structure (14) is formed to communicate with the space (12). The pore (14) is formed irregularly, such as on the surface of basalt, so that initial adhesion with the bone or bone cement filled in the space (12) can be easily and quickly achieved.

[0027] In addition, a plurality of fixing protrusions (15) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces surrounding the space portion (12) of the implant (10).

[0028] Here, the fixing projection (15) is formed in a sawtooth shape so that the implant (10) can be firmly fixed and seated between the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae.

[0029] In addition, a connecting hole (16) is formed in the center of one side of the implant (10) so as to penetrate horizontally with the space (12).

[0030] At this time, a screw thread (n) is formed on the inner circumference of the coupling hole (16) so that it can be screwed onto the end of a conventional needle (not shown) that is separately provided during the procedure.

[0031] And, fastening holes (18) are formed on the upper and lower sides of the other side of the implant (10) at an acute angle so that screws can be inserted into each.

[0032] That is, the above-mentioned fastening hole (18) is formed to penetrate upward and downward from a predetermined position on the other side, and a separately provided screw (N) is inserted to fasten it to the cervical spine so that the implant (10) can be stably fixed.

[0033] In addition, a plurality of insertion holes (20) are formed vertically through the upper surface surrounding the space portion (12) of the implant (10), and a recognition pin (30) is inserted and connected to each of the insertion holes (20) so that the position of the implant (10) can be confirmed through an X-ray (not shown) during the procedure, and the recognition pin (30) is made of titanium, which is a type of metal.

[0034] At this time, the implant (10) is mainly injection molded using synthetic resin or ceramic, but may be made of titanium to increase durability and stability, in which case the insertion hole (20) and recognition pin (30) for X-ray recognition are not needed.

[0035] In addition, it is desirable to form the middle portions of the upper and lower surfaces around the space portion (12) of the implant (10) convexly (a) so that they can be stably connected and fixed between the lower joint of the upper cervical vertebra and the upper joint of the lower cervical vertebra.

[0036] That is, a plurality of fixing protrusions (15) formed on the upper and lower surfaces surrounding the space portion (12) are formed to protrude toward the center, so that they can be easily inserted between the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae to improve seating stability.

[0038] In order to perform a procedure using the cervical facet joint implant according to the present invention, which is configured as described above, first, bone or bone cement is filled into the space of the implant (10), and then the end of a separately provided needle is connected to the screw thread (n) formed in the coupling hole (16). Then, when the implant (10) is inserted between the narrowed lower joint of the upper cervical vertebra and the upper joint of the lower cervical vertebra, the fixation projection (15) penetrates between the upper and lower joints and becomes fixed.

[0039] Next, the needle is separated from the implant (10), and then a screw (N) is inserted through the fastening hole (20) that penetrates at an acute angle using a separate tool and fastened to the upper and lower joints of the cervical vertebrae, respectively. This causes the implant (10) to be firmly fixed, thereby widening the space between the lower joint of the cervical vertebrae and the upper joint of the lower cervical vertebrae, relieving the compression of the root nerve and eliminating pain and paralysis symptoms.

[0040] Afterward, as time passes, biological tissue penetrates into the multiple pores (14) formed on the outer periphery of the implant (10), and as the adhesion with the bone or bone cement filled into the space (12) is strengthened, stable seating of the implant (10) becomes possible.

[0042] By providing the cervical facet joint implant of the present invention, the space between the narrowed inferior cervical joint and the superior cervical joint of the lower cervical vertebra can be widened through a simple procedure to relieve compression of the root nerve penetrating the spinal canal, thereby alleviating the resulting pain and paralysis symptoms and maintaining the patient's health; thus, this invention has very high industrial applicability. Explanation of the symbols

[0043] 10 : Implant 12 : Space part 14: Qi Gong 15: Fixed protrusion 16 : Connecting hole 18 : Insertion hole 20 : Fastener 30 : Recognition pin N: Screw n : thread

Claims

Claim 1 An implant for a cervical facet joint, characterized by being provided in a rectangular shape so as to be inserted and fixed between the lower joint of the cervical vertebra and the upper joint of the lower cervical vertebra where the gap is narrowed, having a space formed in the center that is vertically penetrated and filled with bone, having a porous structure with pores formed on the outer periphery that communicate with said space, having a plurality of fixing protrusions formed on the upper and lower surfaces surrounding said space, a coupling hole formed in the center of one side that penetrates horizontally through said space, and fastening holes formed on the upper and lower parts of the other side that penetrate at an acute angle so as to allow screws to be inserted. Claim 2 An implant for a cervical facet joint according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of insertion holes are formed vertically through the upper surface surrounding the space portion, and a recognition pin is inserted and coupled to each of the insertion holes so as to allow the position of the implant to be confirmed via X-ray during the procedure. Claim 3 An implant for a cervical facet joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the middle portions of the surrounding upper and lower surfaces of the space are each formed convexly so as to be stably connected and fixed to the cervical vertebrae.

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