90 results about "Articular processes" patented technology

Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided.

A prosthetic implant for replacing a facet joint of a spinal motion segment includes a generally conical superior component adapted to be implanted at a surgically prepared site on a lower articular process of a cephalad vertebra of a spinal motion segment, and a cup-shaped inferior component adapted to be implanted at a surgically prepared site on a superior articular process of a caudad vertebra of the spinal motion segment.

Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

In accordance with the present invention is provided a prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bone of a facet located on a host mammalian vertebra. The prosthesis including a posterior arch structure having a plurality of bearing attachment surfaces, a plurality of facet bearing buttons releasably engaged with the bearing attachment surfaces, and a plurality of bioresorbable attachment screws to secure the posterior arch structure to the posterior vertebral articular process of the mammalian vertebra.

Devices and methods for creating holes in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a drill head comprising a frame, punch arm with punch tip and opposing plate. Methods of using the resulting holes to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.

The present invention relates to methods and spinal implant devices for stabilizing a facet joint. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a hole through a facet joint and respective overlapping superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebra which, respectively, include superior articular process and inferior articular process openings. A spinal implant device, such as elongated member, is inserted lengthwise into the hole. The first end portion of the elongated member defines a closed end and the second end portion defines an open end permitting entry into an interior of the member. The interior of the elongated member is filled with a desired material to expand the first and second end portions of the member beyond respective superior articular process and inferior articular process openings of the hole to greater than a desired size of the superior articular process and inferior articular process openings to stabilize the facet joint.

A retractor is provided for performing spinal surgery with a minimal approach, and which spares the lumbar muscles from surgical disruption. A preferred embodiment includes a blade having first and second faces wherein the faces are positioned substantially transverse to one another, and wherein at least one of the faces has a tapered width. Alternatively, both the first and second faces are tapered. Additionally, a third face positioned transverse to the first face and substantially parallel to the third face may be incorporated into the retractor. The second face also preferably includes at least one tooth, and more preferably, a plurality of teeth at its distal end for laterally engaging an articular process of a vertebra of the spine.

A spinal implant in the form of a spinal facet fastener is configured to hold, restrict and / or limit flexion and / or extension of a spinal facet joint and / or immobilize movement thereof. The spinal facet fastener is formed with leg segments configured for reception in, on and / or about vertebral bone of a spinal facet joint and a connecting segment that holds the leg segments apart a spaced distance. The spinal facet fastener has surfaces that are configured to abut vertebral bone surfaces of a spinal facet joint to hold, restrict and / or limit flexion and / or extension of the spinal facet joint and / or immobilize movement thereof. In one form, the spinal facet fastener has members that are configured for reception in vertebral bone of the vertebral bone portions that form the spinal facet joint. In this form, the spinal facet fastener may include an anchoring element that is configured for reception between the vertebral bone portions that form the spinal facet joint. In one form, a first leg is configured to abut a surface of an inferior articular process of a first vertebra while a second leg is configured to abut a surface of a superior articular process of a second vertebra that is adjacent the first vertebra. The spinal facet fastener is formed of a biocompatible material such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone) but may be formed of other biocompatible materials such as a biocompatible metal (e.g. titanium or stainless steel).

Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the facet joint. An implant for treating the facet joint is provided comprising a fixation plate having an access surface and a bone facing surface, a spacer configured to be inserted into the facet joint, and at least one hinge between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. A method for treating a facet joint comprising a superior articular process and an inferior articular process is provided comprising the steps of implanting a spacer between the superior articular process and the inferior articular process, positioning a fixation plate over the facet joint, and securing the fixation plate to at least one of the superior articular process and the inferior articular process. Another method comprises the steps of providing an implant comprising a fixation plate having an access surface and a bone facing surface, a spacer, and at least one hinge between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate.

In some embodiments, a device for reinforcement of a facet joint is provided. The device comprises a lumen configured to receive a fastener member. In some embodiments, a second segment comprises a second lumen configured to receive a fastener member or fastener. In some embodiments, kits are provided with a fastener member and a facet reinforcement device. Methods are also provided for treating a spine. In some embodiments, the fastener member is placed through both articular processes of a facet joint and a facet reinforcement device.

An encircling device for promoting arthrodesis of a cervical, thoracic and / or lumbar facet joint. The fusion can occur through the device as well as around and / or through the facet joint. The top cap may include a container where bone promoting substances are placed. A top cap may be placed within, around or over the top of the encircling device and affixed thereto using a variety of different fixation devices. In addition, the encircling device and / or top cap may be secured using a fastener or anchor such as a screw or other member to a interspinous process spacer, pedicle, pars interarticularis, spinous process, sacral ala, lamina, facet articular process, transverse process or other spinal bony anatomy.

A spinal fixation plate for posterior fixation, including a plate body having flattened flanges extending along sides of the plate body, the flanges being interconnected by a convex arcuate process. A method of fixing vertebrae, including the steps of disposing a spinal fixation plate upon dorsal surfaces of adjoining vertebrae, wherein flanges of the spinal fixation plate extend parallel to the spinal column and rest upon superior articular processes of the adjoining vertebrae, and anchoring the spinal fixation plate to the vertebrae with at least one fastener by disposing the fastener through at least one aperture of the spinal fixation plate into the vertebrae.

The invention discloses a big gecko's vertebral column three-dimensional positioning device and a big gecko's vertebral column three-dimensional positioning method applied to big gecko in-vivo spinal cord preparation and electrophysiological related experiments thereof, and belongs to the technical field of positioning. According to the method, by using the characteristic that a concave arc structure between the front and rear articular processes of the cervical vertebra, the thoracic vertebra and the lumbar vertebra of a big gecko can be used for clamping and positioning, a clamping device is designed to clamp two adjacent vertebras, so that different zones of the vertebral column of the big gecko are reliably positioned. The device consists of a supporting seat, a moving block, a vertebra clamp, a set screw and a locking screw. The device is reliable in positioning and easy to operate, fills the blank that a special vertebral column three-dimensional positioning device for gecko reptiles does not exsit at home and abroad, and lays a foundation for the big gecko in-vivo spinal cord preparation and electrophysiological experimental study thereof.

The locator for planting screw to pedicle for cervical vertebra arch correctly during orthopaedical operation consists of two force arm rods with middle long slot and side block foot in front end, a middle sliding board between the two force arm rods and with upper end hinged to the cross point of a cross rack, an arched rod connected to the middle sliding board, an aimer comprising integral lower support and upper bit guiding pipe, and two articular process foot rods with articular process foot in its upper end and long slot. The upper ends of two force arm rods are connected via adjusting screw bolt to the long slots of the two articular process foot rods, so that the two articular process foot rods may be shifted vertically and horizontally.

The invention provides a zygopophysis bone drilling device capable controlling bone drilling depth. The zygopophysis bone drilling device structurally comprises a positioning sleeve and a bone grinding drill, wherein the bone grinding drill is characterized in that an operating handle is connected with the upper end of a cylindrical straight-shank drill rod; a drill bit is arranged at the lower end of the drill rod; a section of threaded section is arranged on the drill rod adjacent to the operating handle; the major diameter of the threaded section is larger than the diameter of the drill rod; a limiting nut is in threaded connection with the threaded section; the positioning sleeve is characterized in that a cylindrical channel axially penetrating through and used for allowing a drill rod of the bone grinding drill to be inserted in a penetrating manner is formed in a sleeve body; a flaring section which can accommodate the threaded section of the drill rod is arranged at the upper end of the channel; and a wide-mouth spoon groove or a wide-mouth bracket which can straddle the zygopophysis is arranged at the lower end of the sleeve body. By adopting the zygopophysis bone drilling device provided by the invention, the superior articular process can be positioned accurately, and the bone grinding depth can be controlled, so that on the premise of safety and stability, bone substances blocking in the direction of an operative approach can be accurately eliminated through grinding and an accurate and wide implantation space is provided for the working sleeve.

The invention relates to an articular process directional bone cutting trephine which structurally comprises a directional casing, a guide rod and a trephine, wherein an axially-penetrating trephine through-connection hole passage and an axially-penetrating guide rod through-connection hole passage are formed in a body of the directional casing; the lower end of the directional casing is an angled end face; a lower port of the trephine through-connection hole passage is cut into an inclined port; the guide rod is a straight-handle round rod, and axially-penetrating thread eyes are formed in the guide rod; the trephine is a cylindrical straight rod with a handle, the lower end of the cylindrical straight rod is a hollow end, and annular sawteeth are arranged on lower end edges of the cylindrical straight rod; and the length of the cylindrical straight rod is greater than that of the guide rod. By adopting the articular process directional bone cutting trephine provided by the invention, an operative approach direction can be accurately positioned, sclerotins obstructing in the operative approach direction can be accurately abraded on the premise of a safe and stable condition, and in the process of abrading the sclerotins, the abrading range can be expanded by rotating the directional casing, so that an accurate and broad implantation space is provided for a working casing, and a sufficient visual angle is provided for an endoscope.

The invention provides a split amounting type universal robot rotary joint and a spilt amounting method thereof. The rotary joint comprises an articular process, a pulley plate, a locking pin, an articular pan and a rotating shaft, wherein the pulley plate is provided with a gap; the shape of the locking pin is matched with the shape of the gap on the pulley plate; the pulley plate and the articular pan are connected into one whole body; the locking pin is embedded into the gap of the pulley plate; the articular process is embedded into the articular pan; holes of the articular process, the pulley plate and the articular pan are coaxial and the rotating shaft passes through the holes and is clamped by the locking pin. The invention adopts the idea of split-amounting type structure, has simple and compact structure, high reliability, no screw, can be dismantled by hands, is convenient to use and maintain on site; the invention can be suitable for joints of hands of the robot, in particular to the joints of skilful hands and the robot with size restriction, various low load rotating mechanisms without needing revolution, angle follow-up servo systems, rotating mechanisms which need to be controlled by tendons in a transmission way, rotating parts in toys, and other rotating devices with small rotating strength.

The invention discloses a spinal closed puncture guide, which can be specifically used for the puncture positioning of various parts of the spinal column such as intervertebral foramen, intervertebral disc, articular process and pedicle. It consists of an angle ruler, a ruler, a puncture needle guide, a positioning needle needle guide, an aiming ruler, a puncture needle and a positioning needle, the angle ruler is in the shape of a semi-circle, and the ruler slides vertically through the angle ruler , and can be locked by the angle ruler, the puncture needle guide is provided with two pieces, which are respectively slid on both ends of the angle ruler, and can be locked at any angle of the angle ruler, the two puncture needle guides no matter from the angle Any angle of the ruler guides the puncture needle to the same point on the center line of the angle ruler. The positioning needle needle guide is provided with two pieces, one is fixed on one end of the ruler, and the other is slid on the other side of the ruler. One end can be locked, and the positioning needle guide device guides the positioning needle to stick to the bone near the patient's lesion.

Methods and apparatus for accessing and repairing a vertebral disc include a pad with a central cut-out mounted to the skin of a patient or, alternatively, a pedicle-mounted support. An incision is made and then a corridor is created using an elongated guide and a series of dilating tubes. An access to the disc space is created through the superior articular process and the facet joint using the corridor defined by the dilating tubes. Nucleus material is removed from the disc space and the vertebral endplates are prepared. The disc space may be sized to select a suitable implant, which is advanced through the corridor and into the disc space following discectomy and endplate preparation. Bone graft material may be inserted into the disc space following installation of the implant and then posterior rigid fixation may be achieved using percutaneous pedicle screws, followed by closure of the site.

The invention relates to a bone drill capable of directionally drilling bone on an articular process. The bone drill structurally comprises a directional guide bar and a bone grinding drill. The side wall of the directional guide bar is provided with an axial eccentric through groove, the inner groove face of the eccentric through groove is an equal-diameter arc face, and an axial wire guide threading hole penetrating through the bar body is formed in the directional guide bar. The bone grinding drill is provided with a threaded drill bit at the front end of a drill pipe. The length of the drill pipe is larger than that of the directional guide bar. The diameter of the drill pipe is slightly smaller than that of the eccentric through groove. When the drill pipe is placed in the eccentric through groove of the directional guide bar, the edge of the threaded drill bit at the front end protrudes out of the groove edge of the eccentric through groove. By means of the bone drill, the operative route direction can be accurately positioned, on the premise that safety and stability are achieved, bone blocking the operative route direction is accurately ground, the grinding range is enlarged by rotating the directional guide bar in the bone grinding process, an accurate and wide implant space is provided for a work sleeve, and an enough visual angle is provided for an endoscope.