Abstract:
Prostheses, systems, and methods are provided for replacement of natural facet joints between adjacent vertebrae with vertebral prostheses. A portion of the vertebral prosthesis includes anti-rotation and/or anti-pullout elements to prevent or reduce prosthesis fastener rotation or pull out as a result of torques applied to the prosthesis. Various tools and methods aid the process of surgically adding the vertebral prosthesis to a patient's vertebra.
Abstract:
Several embodiments of cutting tips for tools for creating voids in interior body regions are provided. The cutting tips provide for rotational and translational cutting. An actuator mechanism for deploying a cutting tip converts the rotational movement of a wheel into translational movement of a plunger rod. The actuator mechanism provides positive cutting action as the cutting tip is moved from a first, non-deployed position to a second, deployed position and from the second, deployed position to the first, non-deployed position. Methods of creating a void in bone provide one or more mechanical cutting tools that may be used in combination with one or more expandable void-creating structures to form a void of a desired size and configuration.
Abstract:
Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The cephalad prostheses are adapted and configured to be attached to a lamina portion of a vertebra without blocking a pedicle portion of the cephalad vertebra.
Abstract:
Systems and methods treat fractured or diseased bone by deploying more than a single therapeutic tool into the bone. In one arrangement, the systems and methods deploy an expandable body in association with a bone cement nozzle into the bone, such that both occupy the bone interior at the same time. In another arrangement, the systems and methods deploy multiple expandable bodies, which occupy the bone interior volume simultaneously. Expansion of the bodies form cavity or cavities in cancellous bone in the interior bone volume.